Written answers

Thursday, 9 July 2009

Department of Health and Children

National Treatment Purchase Fund

12:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to increase funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund on an annual basis over the lifetime of the Government to secure long-term care, step down beds and rehabilitation services for patients; the amount for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30043/09]

Photo of Áine BradyÁine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would firstly like to address the matter of rehabilitation services. A key Government initiative in the area of rehabilitation is the commitment by the Department of Health & Children and the HSE to develop a national strategy for the provision of medical rehabilitation services. A Working Group was established in July 2008 to develop the policy/strategy.

The Working Group consists of key stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation and is chaired by James O'Grady, Policy Advisor to the Office for Disability and Mental Health. Its terms of reference are to consider the rehabilitation needs at acute and community levels of people at all stages of the lifecycle with static and progressive neurological conditions; traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury; and other physically disabling conditions who may benefit from medical, psychological and/or social rehabilitation service provision.

The objectives of this process are the development of an appropriate policy framework; a strategy for service provision; and a preferred model of care. A report describing same will be prepared by the Working Group for submission to the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children and the CEO of the Health Service Executive. The Working Group has met on a number of occasions to date and is due to report later this year.

The commitment to provide funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to secure rehabilitation services would have to be considered in the context of the strategy.

With regard to long-term care, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, A Fair Deal, was signed into law by the President on the 1st July. Certain sections of the Act were commenced last week to enable the NTPF to immediately begin price negotiations with private nursing homes and earlier this week the NTPF placed an advertisement in the national newspapers advising private nursing home owners what to do if they wish to participate in the scheme. The Minister intends to implement the scheme as soon as these negotiations are concluded and no later than the final quarter of this year.

Under the scheme, the NTPF will have responsibility for agreeing prices for long-term residential care with private nursing homes owners for the purposes of the scheme. However, the HSE will remain the budget holder for the scheme.

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