Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department has identified the quantum of deficiencies within the health services which has resulted in delays to waiting lists at various levels; the measures he plans to take to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published in April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment.
Under the Plan, in 2018 the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments and 4,000 Gastro Intestinal Scopes.
Under the Action Plan, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for treatment in a number of high volume specialties - including cataract, hip and knee replacement, tonsils and scopes.
Under the Action Plan the number of patients waiting longer than 9 months will fall by 10,000. The overall number of patients waiting for hospital operations and procedures will fall to under 70,000 by year end.
The Action Plan has been developed to ensure an appropriate balance between high volume activities and offering treatment to complex long waiting patients. For very long waiting patients, the Action Plan sets a target that the NTPF will provide 1,200 procedures in 2018 by inviting public hospitals to seek solutions for very long waiters either in the private sector or through insourcing. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
The HSE is also working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise a joint Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan focused on improving overall use of resources to tackle long patient waiting times and ensuring timely access to treatment and care for our patients. I hope to publish this Plan shortly. As part of this process the NTPF and the HSE are currently reviewing proposals from hospitals for outpatient initiatives.
