Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can I go back to the issue of the process? I have come across a process whereby a person is referred to be assessed under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The person who assessed them then sets out a report on the care they require. This may include surgery, for example. The person is referred back to the HSE for that surgery. The problem, then, is that the consultants to whom they are referred back will say they did not review this patient and did not take the decision that the patient needs surgery. They say that if something goes wrong, that consultant will be the person who is going to be sued. Therefore, they are not prepared to do the surgery. If we are to refer people out under the National Treatment Purchase Fund, why do we not do the whole process, from assessment right through to getting the treatment?