Call to out consultants over treatment fund omissions

Hospital consultants who don’t refer patients to the National Treatment Purchase Fund must be outed, Minister for Health Mary Harney warned today.

The Tanaiste also suggested that the NTPF should liaise more closely with GPs.

The NTPF treated 18,197 patients in 2005 using a budget of 64 million euro, its annual report said today.

But NTPF chief executive Pat O’Byrne warned that consultants in hospitals in Cork, Sligo and parts of Dublin were not automatically referring patients to the scheme.

“There are still people waiting months for operations. That is unacceptable,” he said.

Ms Harney said she found it disappointing that some hospital consultants were not making referrals.

She said: “We need to establish who they are and what hospitals they work in.

“It may well be that the fund could liaise more closely with GPs in the future for example.

She said she had discussed the issue with the NTPF, adding: “We’ve got to put patients first.”

Since its establishment in 2002, the NTPF has cut maximum waiting times from five years to five months. In that period, a total of 43,000 patients have been treated.

Mr O’Byrne said he aims to have arranged treatment for a total of 60,000 patients by the end of the year.

Ms Harney added: “For the NTPF to have maximum impact, it is vital that there is full co-operation from hospitals and doctors around the country.

“There are some areas where referral patterns to the Fund could be stronger and I would urge all hospitals to avail of the NTPF in ensuring their patients’ best interests.”

The annual report showed the number of cardiology cases doubled in 2005 to 1,240 while neurosurgical operations jumped by 60%.

During 2005, the Fund received 9,268 inquiries to its lo-call number – a 50% increase on 2004.

The body also carried out its first out-patient pilot programme between July and December 2005. It arranged consultations for 4,500 patients and removed 7,800 cases from the public waiting list.

The Patient Treatment Register, launched last September, currently represents 19 hospitals and accounts for 74% of all patients. It is expected to cover all hospitals by the end of 2006.

NTPF chairperson Maureen Lynott said 2005 was a year of solid progress across all its areas of responsibility.