MINISTER O’MALLEY URGES MWHB PATIENTS TO AVAIL OF NATIONAL TREATMENT PURCHASE FUND

LARGE NUMBERS OF QUALIFYING PATIENTS REMAIN UNTREATED IN THE MID WESTERN HEALTH BOARD AREA

(23rd April 2003) Almost 4,000 patients have been treated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to date but referrals from the Mid Western Health Board (MWHB) area are low - so far only 47 people from this area have been referred for treatment. Speaking today, Tim O’Malley, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children expressed his concern that many people in the MWHB area were being disadvantaged and deprived of their entitlement to treatment under the NTPF.

“My advice to people in the Mid Western Health Board area is that if their GP or Consultant has not referred them to the Fund for treatment and they are waiting the required length of time for an operation which can be carried out under the NTPF that they contact the NTPF directly on its Lo Call Number – 1890 720 820. The treatment is free, the beds are there and for those who wish to avail of treatment in the UK all arrangements are put in place by the NTPF. This is an important and valuable initiative there is no sense in people remaining on waiting lists when facilities are there for them to be treated ”, said Mr O’Malley.

Patients from the MWHB area can be treated in the Bons Secours Hospital, Tralee or Barringtons Hospital, Limerick. Treatment is also available in four UK hospitals, two BUPA hospitals located in Liverpool and Manchester and two BMI hospitals located in Basingstoke and close to Heathrow. The NTPF offers treatment to patients for the following procedures – cataracts, varicose veins, hernias, gall bladders, prostate, cysts, plastic surgery, cardiac surgery and hip and knee operations.

The NTPF Lo-Call Number is “1890 720 820”


ENDS