Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been promoted to consultants and others in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29858/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is responsible for collecting and validating all waiting lists for public hospitals; improving processes relating to waiting lists, and advising the Minister of same.

In this regard, the NTPF engages with stakeholders in the health service, including consultants and others. Such engagements provide opportunities for colleagues to discuss projects and initiatives, share perspectives and work together in the interests of patients.

The NTPF advises that it is in regular contact with Hospitals and Hospital Groups at many levels, including through hospital waiting list leads and designated contacts in Hospital Groups who work with the NTPF and its colleagues in the hospital system to achieve shared objectives in the interests of patients.

The NTPF has received substantially increased funding from the Government in Budget 2018 which is resulting in an intensification of activity this year. As a result, I envisage that there will be further opportunities to promote the option of NTPF waiting list initiatives for patients.