Minister rejects claims of a political scam

THE Minister for Health yesterday rejected claims that the new Treatment Purchase Fund was a political scam to reduce waiting lists and would have no impact on the health services.

Patient Focus spokesman Dr Tony O’Sullivan claimed the new scheme was just a political scam and he called on the Government to instead invest the money in building up hospital capacity and beds.

“This is the only real way to clear waiting lists because you will have the extra beds in the public hospitals and would not have to keep hiring space from private hospitals,” Dr O’Sullivan said.