Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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867. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 14 February 2017, the number of these that are classified as urgent; the number of persons on the NTPF pre-planned procedures list for three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and more than 18 months, respectively; the procedures involved in each case; the number of these that are classified as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47061/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since August, the NTPF publishes data for the Pre-Admit (or "To Come In") and Planned Procedures categories by hospital and hospital group each month. This data can be viewed on its website at www.NTPF.ie.

Patients who have a scheduled date for their admission are categorised as Pre-Admit or "To Come In" (TCI). Planned procedures refer to those patients who have had an initial episode of care and require recall for further treatment relating to that initial episode.

The Pre-Admit (or "To Come In") waiting list is broken down by a number of waiting time categories from 0-3 months up to 18+ months.

The Planned Procedure list is broken down by the following categories: 'Planned With Indicative Date - In the future', 'Planned With Indicative Date - In the past', 'Planned With To Come In Date' and 'Planned Without Indicative Date'. It should be noted that the planned procedure list is categorised in this way rather than in time bands because the waiting time is clinically determined (i.e. there may be a set time period which must elapse before a further procedure can be carried out.)

The NTPF National Inpatient/Daycase Planned Procedure Waiting List Management Protocolpublished in early 2017 sets out the national protocols for the management of waiting lists, including the scheduling of patient treatment. In order to ensure fair and equitable access to hospital capacity, this Protocol outlines the way in which patients should be scheduled for treatment. In line with best practice, patients should not be scheduled for treatment more than six weeks in advance.