Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
524. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allow a person (details supplied) use the National Purchase Treatment Fund to access urgent surgery; if each and every possible option available has been explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19022/23]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List.
The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital, who will also advise if a patient has complex clinical needs in order that appropriate arrangements can be made to fit the patient profile to the appropriately skilled provider. The availability of capacity for the specific procedure required by the patient is also a factor in the selection of treatment provider.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
