Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

232. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the delays in regard to public ultrasounds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47373/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. Investing in additional capacity, including beds and theatre space; the progression of recruitment and retention of staff; the delivery of the NDP project including dedicated elective only hospitals and the ambitious reform agenda in the Sláintecare Report will improve waiting times and access for patients.

Historically, national diagnostic waiting list data has not been collected nationally. In recent years, the HSE, National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and other relevant stakeholders have been taking part in a project to develop systems to monitor activity and waiting list data for diagnostics. Currently the data collected on radiology diagnostics (CT, MRI and US) is not available by condition/diagnosis. The system, when fully rolled out will capture data for urgent, routine, planned and surveillance patients.

My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a coherent Waiting List Action Plan for 2019 before the end of this year. Under the Plan, the collaboration between the HSE and NTPF will continue in order to maximise the number of patients treated in both a public and private capacity. The NTPF will continue to engage with public hospitals inviting proposals aimed at reducing reduce waiting times for patients. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.