Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to increase access to safe and timely care close to patients' homes. Recent figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, show that, at the end of April, there were 2,281 people waiting for outpatient appointments at Mayo University Hospital. These are people who were referred for necessary care and treatment by their GPs. The length of the waiting list is leading to increased stress, anxiety, further medical complications and increased illness among those patients. Clearly, the Government is failing in its commitment to provide timely access to care. Another related issue is the fact that patients who choose to go north of the Border for treatment are having it paid for by the HSE. Patients in my constituency of Mayo are availing of treatment across the Border. When will the Government address the delays relating to the NTPF? When will we see full and proper roll-out of that fund? Is serious action being taken to address the delays being experienced by patients languishing on waiting lists?

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