Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting lists for cataract surgery for public patients; if a cost-benefit analysis of the spending by the NTPF on the procurement of cataract services from the private system has been carried out; if so, the results of the analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to reducing waiting times for procedures in hospitals and to increase funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to deliver on this commitment. In the Budget and Estimates 2018, funding for the NTPF to treat public patients was increased to €50 million.
The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan is a joint initiative between the HSE, the NTPF and my Department and sets the projected activity and impact that will be delivered in 2018 from within the allocated funding. As outlined in the Action Plan, a projected 1.16 million inpatient and day case procedures will take place in 2018, with NTPF activity accounting for 20,000 procedures and HSE activity 1.14 million procedures.
Cataract surgery is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty. Through the work of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, the overall number of patients waiting for cataract surgery has fallen by 22% since July 2017, while the number of patients waiting more than 12 months has declined by 71% in the same period.
For 2018, under the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting for more than 9 months for a Cataract procedure will be offered treatment this year, with 5,000 NTPF funded procedures planned in both public and private hospitals.
Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.
The NTPF procures capacity for each of the procedures identified in the Action Plan in both private hospitals or public hospitals. In 2018, the NTPF projects that the 4,000 of the 20,000 treatments will be delivered in public hospitals.
No formal cost-benefit analysis was carried out in relation to activity funded through the NTPF, nor indeed in respect of activity funded through the HSE. However, the Action Plan strikes the appropriate balance between maximising the number of patients treated in both public and private capacity, as appropriate, and ensuring the best return for the taxpayer.
