Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the gastrointestinal endoscopy initiative, which includes colonoscopies undertaken by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, including when this commenced, the consultation that took place and with whom, the number of persons who were identified as waiting over 12 months, the number who have now been treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44451/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The NTPF has recently commenced a GI Endoscopy Initiative which it aims to complete before the end of the year. The Initiative will target those waiting over 12 months now or before the end of December 2015 for a routine endoscope. While these patients are largely confined to a small number of hospitals, the Initiative aims to offer an external appointment to all patients waiting > 12 months.

The NTPF initiative commenced on 30 September 2015 after consultation with the HSE and Department of Health to facilitate the treatment of patients waiting more than 12 months for a Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy or Proctoscopy procedure. A total of 2,652 patients were identified in this category. At 3 December 2015 a total of 558 patients remain to be treated.

The HSE has in place a weekly monitoring system to ensure all patients referred for an urgent colonoscopy are seen within a 28 day target time. A policy of zero tolerance applies to any breaches.

From its 2015 allocation, an amount of €1.1m has been identified by the National Treatment Purchase Fund Board to facilitate the treatment, in private hospitals, of public patients listed as waiting for more than 12 months for a gastroscopy, colonoscopy or proctoscopy procedure.

The following private hospitals have agreed to participate in this initiative:

Aut Even

Barringtons

Blackrock Clinic

Bon Secours

Clane Hospital

Galway Clinic

Hermitage

Mater Private

North West Independent Hospital

St. Francis

Whitfield Clinic

3Fivetwo Healthcare