Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health the number of treatments that have been provided under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in respect of specialist ear, nose and throat procedures in each of the past five years and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14367/13]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the reported over subscription of antibiotic medication which has occurred as a result of the delays being experienced by patients waiting to access specialist ear, nose and throat consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14388/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 241 together.

In relation to the Deputy’s question regarding the number of ear, nose and throat procedures provided under the National Treatment Purchase fund (NTPF), set out below are the figures supplied by the NTPF. No such treatments have been provided under the NTPF to date in 2013.

ENT Procedures

*Based on NTPF referrals Jan - July 2011 (prior to the change in the role of the NTPF)

**Based on referrals made under NTPF/SDU Programme of support (Sept - Dec 2011)

In July 2011 I announced changes to the remit of the NTPF, namely that its role would be changed to support the mission of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU). In July 2011, the restriction that mandated 90% of the expenditure of the fund to the private sector was lifted and the referral process changed to enable the SDU and NTPF team to redirect its capability to supporting hospitals to reduce maximum waiting times. The NTPF is now fully aligned with the SDU and is targeting waiting lists strategically and assisting in the performance management of hospitals to reduce waiting times for patients. The NTPF capability is a core part of the SDU's performance improvement role in holding public hospitals to account. The overall performance of the acute hospital system in responding to the challenge of reducing maximum waiting times was impressive during 2012, particularly when the health service has been under considerable pressure. Whilst the most important contribution to this preliminary success has been the work of clinical and managerial leaders in individual hospitals, it must also be acknowledged that the NTPF capability in supporting the SDU has also been a contributing factor.

Statutory responsibility for the collection, collation and validation of data on waiting times and numbers of persons waiting for hospital treatment rests with the NTPF. The NTPF collects information on hospital in-patients and day case waiting times and has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. Improving access to outpatient services, including specialist ear, nose and throat consultations, is a key priority for the Government. For the first time outpatient waiting list data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment.

In relation to the Deputy's question regarding antibiotic medication, patients awaiting ENT consultations may require antibiotics depending on clinical indications. Antibiotics are specific medications used to treat bacterial infections and should only be used when clinically indicated. They do not treat viral infections. As part of its policy to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics the Health Service Executive has developed primary care antibiotic guidelines. These guidelines clearly indicate when antibiotics should be prescribed and include a section on ENT indications. The guidelines have been widely distributed to General Practitioners and Primary Care Centres, are accessible using a smart phone and available on a website provided by the HSE and RCPI Clinical Programme, working with the ICGP. It is important that antibiotics are prescribed only when indicated, to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre monitors antibiotic use in hospitals and in the community on an on-going basis.