Written answers

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Services

8:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a priority appointment in the rheumatology department of Cork University Hospital will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if this condition will be considered under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2971/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The scheduling of out-patient appointments is in each case determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that his or her condition warrants an earlier appointment, the GP may take the matter up with the consultant involved. The NTPF's primary remit is to facilitate patients who have been waiting longest for surgery on hospital in-patient waiting lists. Patients are placed on in-patient waiting lists when they have seen a consultant at an out-patient clinic and surgery is recommended.

The NTPF has conducted a number of out-patient initiatives on a pilot basis. In selected specialties, a defined number of patients, usually those waiting longest in the specialty, have been offered out-patient consultations in private hospitals and where surgery was required, this was also provided. The NTPF will be considering, in the context of the preparation of its 2010 service plan, the extent to which it continues to facilitate such arrangements.

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