Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017
195. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will consider giving persons on waiting lists for more than one year an optional financial contribution towards the cost of a private consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12236/17]
View answerAs the reduction of waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of the Government’s key priorities, €20 million has been allocated to the NTPF in the Budget 2017, rising to €55 million in 2018. This funding will be dedicated to the provision of daycase and inpatient treatment to patients. Under the NTPF Daycase Initiative 2017, patients will commence receiving appointments for treatment during March.
During 2016, there has been evidence of a considerable increase in demand for health services, as our population grows and ages. In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, the HSE is currently developing Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the area of Inpatient Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. Draft Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient Daycase and Scoliosis have been submitted. My Department is currently reviewing these plans and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF. The HSE has also significantly progressed the development of a draft Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan. In this Plan, the HSE will identify proposals to reduce the number of patients waiting long periods of time for outpatient appointments across all hospitals.
