Patients not referred for free treatment

CONSULTANTS in a number of Dublin hospitals and the midwest are still failing to refer patients for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

Six monthly NTPF figures released yesterday show very low referral rates from the Royal Eye and Ear, James Connolly Memorial, St Vincent’s and Beaumont Hospitals.

There is also unused capacity in all surgical areas for patients from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.