Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients. Under the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan, which was launched earlier this year, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures.
The NTPF will deliver additionality to the health system with the provision of over 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.
In addition, my Department is continuing to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times.
The information sought by the deputy regarding the number of patients on the orthognathic joint maxillofacial waiting list in St James Hospital is contained in the table below.
0-3 Months
|
3-6 Months
|
6-9 Months
|
9-12 Months
|
12-15 Months
|
15-18 Months
|
18+ Months
|
Total
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
17
|
50
|