Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004
147 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the terms on which the national treatment purchase fund operates can be expanded to include orthopaedic outpatient facilities for those who are unable in the short to medium term to obtain an appointment with a consultant to be assessed, in order that they can be put on a waiting list for an operation. [27781/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with health strategy objectives, the Government's immediate focus is on the reduction of waiting lists and waiting times for inpatient and day case treatments in acute hospitals. This is being facilitated by the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF.
Responsibility for the management and monitoring of patients waiting for outpatient appointments rests with the individual hospitals and health boards concerned. It is a matter for each hospital to prioritise its services based on patient need and use its available resources to best effect to ensure that patient services are delivered efficiently and effectively. The issue of expanding the remit of the NTPF to include outpatient waiting lists will be kept under review.
