Fund reduces surgery waiting times

AVERAGE waiting times for common surgical procedures have been cut from two-to-five years to just two-to-five months by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), figures show.

The NTPF, formed five years ago to fast-track operations for public patients, has arranged treatment for more than 75,000 people.

By the end of the year, almost 100,000 people will have been treated under the fund. NTPF chief executive Pat Byrne said anyone waiting more than three months for a surgical procedure could contact the fund directly. In most cases, treatment could be arranged within weeks.