NATIONAL TREATMENT PURCHASE FUND
NOT RE-OPENING CLOSED BEDS

(31st March 2003) The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is in discussions with Health Boards and public hospitals throughout the country regarding the purchase of treatments in hospitals where some treatment capacity exists. The Fund wishes to clearly state it is not buying public beds that have been closed.

The NTPF primarily purchases treatment in the private system in order not to interfere with the treatment of public patients. However, as part of the discussions, the NTPF is asking public hospitals to identify any additional treatment capacity that exists outside and in addition to their core funded activity.

Strict criteria will apply to the proposed purchase of any treatment facilities in public hospitals. Each treating public hospital will only treat NTPF patients where its own public patients and normal activity levels are not affected. As part of the proposed arrangements the number of patients to be treated in Ireland and the UK will be specified.

“The Fund predominately purchases treatment (not beds) in the private system given that it is not subject to the same pressures as the public system. If there is the option to treat a small number of patients within the public system without affecting normal operational activity and remove them from long term waiting lists, then we are willing to take a flexible approach and use it. To date over 3,400 patients have been removed from long term waiting lists under the Fund, this is an important initiative and where possible, working with the public hospitals will enable us to make further progress in tackling long term waiting lists”, said Maureen Lynott, NTPF Director.

ENDS