Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I largely share Deputy Twomey's perspective. The NTPF was established as a universal insurer for those waiting a long time for appointments. The idea was that the fund would have a very focused, targeted approach to using private capacity that exists within or outside the State to deal with those badly in need of surgical procedures. It has worked extraordinarily well.

Awareness of the fund needs to be increased. Almost every week in my office, I deal with five or six cases concerning people entitled to use the fund but who have not been told about it. Later this month and in early March, the NTPF will engage in an extensive advertising campaign to ensure patients know they are entitled to obtain the treatment they require through the fund. The NTPF suggested that we have a patient register so the power would be with the patient and so the patient would be given details on the time of his or her outpatient appointment. The idea was that the patient could make direct contact himself or herself. The NTPF also felt the waiting lists were very inaccurate and that there was considerable duplication.

Given the long waiting times associated with some specialties, I must examine the issue of outpatient appointments. We need to increase substantially the number of consultant posts. We have approximately 1,940 consultants at present but we need to have 3,600. This is why it is so important that we negotiate with the hospital consultants regarding a new, more modern and flexible contract for consultants. Patients have to wait for so long because we obviously do not have enough consultants. In light of this, I have asked the NTPF to make proposals on how it could deal with patients who are waiting longest for outpatient appointments. The Deputy is correct that some have to wait for incredibly long periods. If there is capacity in the State to deal with these patients in a different way while we await the appointment of more consultants, it should be used.

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