I am advised by the HSE that, in 2013, a total of 6,456 patients on waiting lists for outpatient treatment at the Waterford Regional Hospital, were referred to private facilities for outpatient services, and a total of 666 patients were referred for in-patient/day case procedures. All 666 in-patient/day case patients have fully completed their episode of care. The patients were treated at the Whitfield Clinic Waterford; Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny; Mater Private Hospital, Cork; Bon Secours Hospital, Cork and the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin.
Of the 6,456 patients referred for outpatient services to the Whitfield Clinic Waterford, Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny, and the Mater Private Hospital, Cork, 2,896 patients have been seen; the remaining 3,560 patients will be seen by the end of June 2014. Of the total number of patients seen, 1,940 patients have been discharged and 956 patients require a follow up episode of care. Arrangements are underway for Waterford Regional Hospital to take responsibility for the ogoing care of these patients. The files of those patients requiring ongoing care are in the possession of Waterford Regional Hospital.
The Deputy may wish to note that prior to signing Service Level Agreements with the hospitals concerned, the HSE engaged with the private providers with a view to agreeing a satisfactory price for the outsourced work. I have been assured that the costs agreed were considered reasonable when measured against national casemix costs. I am satisfied that, as hospitals are aligned into hospital groups, there will be increased potential to maximise the use of capacity across multiple sites, to ensure that challenges at individual hospital sites can be addressed in a timely fashion.