Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
585. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to expedite hospital treatment for persons waiting longer than 12 months; the waiting targets for key procedures with long wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast October’s Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for 2018 which more than doubles its 2017 total allocation which was €20m. This significant increase in funding reflects the fact that reducing waiting times for patients is one of this Government's key priorities.
The Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF are finalising an Inpatient/Daycase Action Plan 2018 which will set out ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment.
The 2018 Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan will see the NTPF and HSE working closely together to enable the provision of treatment patients across a range of specialties and procedures and will focus on long-waiting patients and overall waiting list numbers. The NTPF will work with both public and private hospitals in order to provide access for patients to treatment.
