NATIONAL TREATMENT PURCHASE FUND ANNOUNCES NEW PATIENT TREATMENT REGISTER


(21st December, 2004) The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) today announced the creation of a Patient Treatment Register, which will be the first online database of patients waiting for treatment.

The historical system of collecting data on waiting lists and waiting times from public hospitals throughout the country underwent a significant change this year when the NTPF was given responsibility for the recording and publishing of national waiting list figures. The NTPF undertook to review the current system and set about to collect data which represented a real, accurate, validated list of patients waiting for treatment, how long they were waiting for treatment, hospital by hospital and speciality by speciality.

However, the NTPF's experience of confirming the waiting list data has shown widespread variation in the recording and reporting of patient data as the current system is based on a collection of "statistics" by specialty and not individual patient names or details. Volumes, not time waiting, are the focus and patient status and statistics are not reconcilable from one period to the next. Therefore, the NTPF has not been able to readily identify or verify, from the information provided, patients actively waiting for treatment, patients temporarily not available for treatment, and patients no longer needing treatment.

"Our job is to get people treated, to get them off waiting lists and into hospital as quickly as possible. We therefore need a list which is defined by people, not by numbers. We want a situation where we have one register. The Patient Treatment Register will be based on real people, by name, waiting for specific treatment and the length of time they are waiting. We need to be able to contact these people and offer them treatment. The Register will ensure that everyone - patients, doctors, hospitals and the NTPF - will know who is waiting for treatment and for how long," said Mr. Pat O'Byrne, Chief Executive, NTPF.

The NTPF will introduce the new Patient Treatment Register on a phased basis by July 2005, and will have the new national system in place in 2006. The Patient Treatment Register will be a national online system, capturing current patient details and changes to a patient's status. Each patient will receive a Patient Treatment Register card when placed on a surgical waiting list, with the NTPF lo-call number. GPs will be able to use information on hospital waiting times for surgery when making out-patient referrals. The Fund will work with hospitals and will be able to be proactive in offering treatment to patients. The Register will be constantly updated to ensure it is accurate and reflects the true picture as regards waiting times.

There have been definitional issues and a lack of clarity around the numbers of patients waiting for certain diagnostic tests and a range of interventions and procedures in certain medical specialities. The development of the new approach to waiting lists will facilitate clearer definition of such cases. These issues will be the subject of further investigation and clarification with the National Hospitals' Office.

Ms. Mary Harney T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, said:
"We want to treat patients and get their waiting time down to the lowest possible level and we are making progress on the issue. To do so most effectively, we need a credible, accurate picture of the number of actual patients waiting for treatment, who and where they are, and what treatment they are waiting for."

"The new Patient Treatment Register will provide, for the first time, a true record of actual patients and will tell us the real extent of waiting lists, and more importantly waiting times. With a national register, patients will be contacted, offered treatment and have the option to wait in their local hospital or avail of treatment in another hospital. This system puts more power and information into the patients' hands", said the Minister.

"As well as giving patients choice and treating them quickly, the Patient Treatment Register will provide accurate validated information. Hospitals will continue to be responsible for validation and changing a patient's status on the register, and will follow operating guidelines agreed with the NTPF and the National Hospitals' Office. The new system will highlight patients waiting longer than three months. The NTPF will continuously monitor the register and contact patients waiting longest, and offer them treatment under the Fund," said Ms. Maureen Lynott, Chairperson, NTPF.

The Fund continues to arrange treatment for public patients on public hospital waiting lists and will exceed its target to treat 12,000 patients this year and reduce waiting times even further. By the end of 2004, 13,000 patients will have been treated under the Fund, bringing the cumulative number of patients treated to 23,000. There is now no need for patients to wait longer than three months for a wide range of surgical procedures such as cataract operations, hernia operations, gall bladder operations and varicose vein procedures. If patients are prepared to go to another hospital outside their area they can receive their treatment in a matter of weeks. Patients who feel they are entitled to treatment under the NTPF should contact the Fund directly on Lo-Call 1890 720 820.

For Reference:
Ita Gibney, Gibney Communications, (01) 661 0502, 086 259 8737
Dearbhaill Rossiter, Gibney Communications, (01) 661 0402, 087 133 4611

Reference: 2 websites

NOTE FOR EDITORS
The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for public patients waiting longer than three months on a public hospital waiting list.

The Fund organises for treatment to take place in hospitals here, in Northern Ireland or England. Treatment is entirely free and all necessary travelling costs are met by the Fund.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund is one of the initiatives outlined in the Health Strategy and Programme for Government.

Patients can be referred to the Fund by their treating hospital, Consultant or General Practitioner. Alternatively, they can contact the NTPF directly on Lo-Call 1890 720 820 to check whether they are eligible for treatment under the Fund.

Examples of procedures covered under the NTPF include:

• Cataracts
• Varicose veins
• Hip and Knee replacements
• Back and Spinal operations
• Hernias
• Gall bladders
• Prostate
• Plastic surgery
• Cardiac surgery