Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
865. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who has been waiting over two years and three months for a MRI can be seen under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15834/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment as well as a specific focus on scheduling additional joint replacements and other high volume procedures.
However, it should be noted, that as MRIs are used as a diagnostic tool and not a treatment, they do not currently fall under the remit of the NTFP. Therefore in relation to the waiting list status of the person concerned at Tullamore Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
