The national treatment purchase fund was established as one of the key actions for dealing with public hospital waiting lists arising from the Health Strategy: Quality and Fairness — A Health System For You. Significant progress has been achieved by the NTPF in targeting those patients who have been waiting longest for treatment.
To the end May 2004, a total of 14,142 adults and children were treated under the NTPF. A total of 7,832 adults and children were treated in 2003 and a total of 4,390 adults and children were treated as at 31 May, 2004. The average case cost for 2003 was €3,381.