Ms Lucy Nugent:

The first step we take when we are considering an NTPF proposal is to ensure that core activity is maximised. That is the first step. It is about making sure that we fully utilise our outpatients, theatres, etc. We also now have a central referrals office. Referrals come in through that and they are equitably distributed among specialties so we do not have huge variance in waiting lists per consultant. There will, however, always be some variance where a specific specialised service may be needed in one particular department and maybe only one or two of those colleagues could do that.