Vol. 562 No. 6
115 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on media reports that Irish hospital consultants are being bypassed in the referral of patients to the treatment purchase fund both at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the lack of investment in greater capacity in the health services. [6832/03]
The establishment of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is one of the key actions for dealing with public hospital waiting lists arising from the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You.
Health boards and hospitals have been asked to identify public hospital patients waiting longest on in-patient lists, so that they can be offered treatment under this initiative. The NTPF is initially concentrating on adults who have been waiting on in-patient lists over 12 months and children waiting over six months for surgical procedures.
Public patients who satisfy the criteria can apply to their general practitioners, medical consultant or to their local health board to seek to have their treatment carried out under the NTPF. In addition, patients have been invited to contact the NTPF via a locall telephone number. The vast majority of referrals under this initiative are made by medical consultants.
