Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
141 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is evidence available to his Department to indicate that certain consultants in certain health board areas are not accepting individual patients under the national treatment purchase fund; if they are delaying accepting individual patients until the NTPF provides them with additional patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11045/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra142 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have examined the take up for the NTPF in each health board area; and the waiting lists in each health board area to establish if the NTPF is being responded to in the manner for which it was intended in each area. [11047/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, was established as 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. Significant progress has been achieved by the NTPF in targeting those patients who have been waiting longest for treatment. To date some 12,000 patients have already had treatment arranged by the NTPF. It is now the case that, in most instances, adults waiting for a procedure for six months, or three months in the case of children, are now being facilitated by the fund. If patients are prepared to travel outside of their local area, their treatment can be arranged more quickly.
The NTPF has reported that there are some difficulties with patient referrals from certain hospitals and within certain specialities, particularly in the eastern region. The NTPF is continuing to work with the individual hospitals concerned to try to ensure that patients who are waiting longest for treatment are in a position to avail of the fund. The fund has run an extensive media campaign and operates a lo-call telephone line so that patients and their general practitioners are fully aware of the services available. It is open to both patients or their general practitioners to contact the NTPF directly to inquire about treatment and to make the necessary arrangements if necessary.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the take up of the fund in each health board area continues to be kept under review by my Department in conjunction with the NTPF.
