Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
665. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the range of prices, by lowest and highest in percentage terms, paid by the NTPF for a single cataract operation to a non-HSE provider from first consultation to final check-up in 2018 using the cost of the same operation at a HSE-run hospital as the base cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54513/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) advises that it procures capacity for cataract operations in both private hospitals or public hospitals.
In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of its outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from the existing panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender. The NTPF also works with legal advisors and procurement specialists to ensure that all funding is appropriately spent.
The NTPF advises that as procedures are tendered for through an open procurement process the cost per procedure would be commercially sensitive.
