Dear Colleagues
Some of you may be interested in today's press release from the Department of Health and Children in Ireland re the latest statistics on the National Treatment Purchase Fund, an initiative set up in 2002 to reduce waiting lists and which has provides individuals with a choice over where they are treated either in Ireland or if necessary in a number of BUPA hospitals in the UK after a specific period of time on the waiting list.
More on the fund at
http://www.ntpf.ie/
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
Press Release 1/1/04 http://www.doh.ie/pressroom/pr20040101.html
Mr Ivor Callely, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children today, (1 January 2004) welcomed the encouraging figures of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The fund was set up in Ireland to take public patients who have been waiting longest for procedures in public hospital off hospital waiting lists.
"One of the key actions for dealing with public hospital waiting lists was the establishment of the National Treatment Purchase Fund" stated the Minister.
Originally the NTPF sought Adults on hospital waiting lists for 12 months and over and Children on hospital waiting lists for 6 months and over. This has now been reduced to Adults - 6 months or over, Children 3 months or over.
The Minister also stated that "The aim of the National Treatment Purchase Fund is taking public patients who have waited longest off waiting lists by providing them with the highest standard and quality of care. Since its creation in July 2002 approximately 9,300 people have been treated. Our targets for 2004 are to treat from 10,000 to 12,000 patients. This will once again help to reduce public hospital waiting lists."
|