Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking or will undertake to further reduce the outpatient waiting lists in dermatology at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3273/19]

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

Improving access to hospital treatment is a key priority for government. Budget 2019 announced a funding increase from €55 million to €75 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.

My Department is working closely with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a Scheduled Care Access Plan for inpatients/day case and outpatients for 2019. In this regard, the NTPF and the HSE will continue to work closely with Hospital Groups, inviting proposals to improve access for patients waiting for either Inpatient/Daycase or Outpatient procedures.

In relation to, steps to further reduce outpatient waiting lists in dermatology at University Hospital Waterford, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.