Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the private facilities being used to treat public patients; if access is unlimited or if there are restrictions on access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35511/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was established as one of the key actions for dealing with public hospital waiting lists arising from the 2001 Health Strategy. The NTPF purchases procedures for public patients predominantly from private hospitals in Ireland.

My Department has asked the Chief Executive of the Fund to outline for the Deputy the protocols and procedures in relation to referring patients to private hospitals.