Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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893. To ask the Minister for Health whether any CHI-affiliated surgeons were involved in treating CHI patients at any private providers under NTPF contracts at any stage since 2020; to provide details of each instance; whether any conflict-of-interest declarations or audits have been carried out to ensure that outsourcing decisions were made solely to benefit patients and reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34351/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Insourcing initiatives of the National Treatment Purchase Fun (NTPF), targeted at the longest waiting public patients, are arranged with the management of the public hospital concerned, in line with the relevant Waiting List Management Protocols, and on the basis of a strict Memorandum of Understanding. Under the insourcing agreement, the hospital confirms that the work is undertaken outside core hours and is additional activity aimed at reducing waiting lists.

Due to concerns raised over the 2022 Internal Examination, the NTPF placed a temporary pause on all insourcing work with CHI. It initiated a comprehensive review of all insourcing work with CHI to gather the necessary assurances regarding compliance, value for money and appropriate use of NTPF funding mechanisms. On the 11th of June, the NTPF confirmed that it was immediately recommencing insourcing work with CHI after a review of the assurances given by CHI in relation to its ongoing compliance with existing NTPF protocols and procedures.

The HSE CEO is commissioning an audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI. The audit aims to assess governance and equity in access to care within CHI, especially regarding the balance between public and private patient management. The outcome of this audit is expected in the coming months.

As the Deputy’s question requires operational detail, I have asked the HSE to look into these matters and provide a direct reply as soon as possible.