Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2005
122 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that publication of full hospital waiting lists will be resumed; the latest information available to the national treatment purchase fund in respect of the number of patients waiting more than three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15350/05]
View answerResponsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times now falls within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. A new on-line national patient treatment register is being developed by the fund. This register will allow for more accurate identification of waiting lists and, more importantly, waiting times. It is intended the register will be implemented on a phased basis during 2005.
Up to the end of March 2005, a total of 27,000 patients have had treatment arranged for them. It is now the case that, in most instances, anyone waiting more than three months will be facilitated by the fund. My Department has asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of the latest position regarding the publication of information on waiting lists in the format requested by the Deputy.
