WAITING TIMES FALL FURTHER BUT NTPF CALLS FOR INCREASED CO-OPERATION
Monday, 19th July, 2004 : The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) today reported a continued reduction in the length of time patients wait on public hospital waiting lists for surgical operations. Waiting times have fallen further with 87% of hospitals now referring patients waiting less than 12 months for surgical treatment. To date over 15,000 patients have received treatment under the Fund.
Progress to the end of June 2004 shows that of 30 referring hospitals:
- 11 (37%) referring patients waiting 3 - 6 months
- 15 (50%) referring patients waiting 6 - 12 months
- 4 (13%) referring patients waiting 12 - 24 months
There has been extensive co-operation and high levels of patient referrals to the NTPF in most areas of the country. However, there continues to be hospitals where patients are waiting longer than 12 months for treatment or where the number of patient referrals is very low. The NTPF is in ongoing discussions with these hospitals and has called on them to refer all eligible patients willing to be treated under the Fund.
There is also unutilised capacity for all speciality areas to treat patients from Limerick , Clare and Tipperary under the Fund with particular capacity for cataracts and complex dental surgery requiring hospital admission.
Commenting on the NTPF's progress Maureen Lynott, Director of the NTPF said, "We are very pleased that the vast majority of hospitals are close to achieving the Health Strategy target that no patient waits longer than three months for treatment. However, we continue to be concerned at the low level of referrals from a small number of areas when the resources and capacity are available for their patients to be treated quickly. Their patients should not be disadvantaged. Over 10,000 people have contacted the Lo-Call line to date and we urge public patients waiting longer than three months for treatment to contact the NTPF directly on Lo-Call 1890 720 820 to fast track their treatment."
ENDS
For reference:
Dearbhaill Rossiter , Gibney Communications (01) 661 0402, 087 133 4611
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