Joint Committee on Health meets to discuss the management of waiting lists for hospital treatment, and of the insourcing and outsourcing of such treatment.

The meeting will hear from representatives from the:
•    Health Service Executive 
•    National Treatment Purchase Fund Board 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Pádraig Rice said “Our busy schedule of meetings continues tomorrow with the focus of the Committee shifting to waiting lists. We will look for insights into the HSE’s efforts to address waiting lists and  seek assurances that public money is being not being misused. 

“The Health Committee is particularly concerned about the HSE’s growing reliance on the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to address long waiting lists. The NTPF was set up as a short-term measure but over 20 years on, funding has increased to €230 million this year. 

“Recent allegations around the misuse of NTPF funding must also be teased out at the Committee, including the apparent lack of oversight around insourcing arrangements. 

“While recognising the challenges faced by the HSE in managing waiting lists, it is vital that our Committee  holds them to account to ensure that patients receive timely and effective care.”