Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
210 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to reduce the three year delay on the routine ENT waiting list for a consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20873/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra213 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider expanding the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund to enable persons who are waiting to enter onto in-patient lists to apply to be seen by consultants in a shorter time, especially in cases in which waiting lists are very long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 213 together.
In accordance with health strategy objectives, the Government's immediate focus is on the reduction of waiting lists and waiting times for in-patient and day case treatments in acute hospitals. This is being particularly facilitated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. It is anticipated that reductions in such waiting lists will also lead to consequent improvements in access to consultations with consultants.
