NATIONAL TREATMENT PURCHASE FUND PATIENTS WILL NOT BE TREATED IN CLOSED PUBLIC BEDS

(14th May 2003) In light of the current speculation concerning the closed beds in the Mater Public Hospital, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) wishes to make clear its policy on the possible treatment of public patients in public hospitals.

The NTPF has been in negotiations with health boards and public hospitals throughout the country regarding the purchase of treatments in public hospitals where additional treatment capacity exists and proposals have been put forward by a number of public hospitals.

The NTPF wishes to reiterate the strict criteria that applies to treatment of its patients in public hospitals. Any agreement that will be entered into between the NTPF and public hospitals requires that each treating hospital will only treat NTPF patients where public patients and normal activity levels are not affected.

“We will not re-open closed public beds to treat our patients. We will only enter into agreements with public hospitals who have treatment capacity outside or in addition to the core funded activity. The NTPF is not part of the core funding for public hospitals, it is a separate and distinctive initiative with a specific remit. There is no agreement with the Mater Hospital to provide €4 million of NTPF funds in the current year. The Fund has treated 4,152 patients to date and treating patients in public hospitals where capacity exists will enable us to clear the long term waiting lists”, said Maureen Lynott, NTPF Project Director.

ENDS