POLITICS: Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConalogue says the Health Minister’s decision to restore the National Treatment Purchase Fund came about as a direct result of the negotiations between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ahead of the formation of the minority Government.
Investment in the National Treatment Purchase Fund was a key priority in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto, and was one of the core commitments discussed during the Trinity negotiations.
Deputy McConalogue told Donegal Daily, “As part of Fianna Fáil’s negotiating team, it was important to me and my colleagues that we secured a clear commitment from Fine Gael that the National Treatment Purchase Fund be restored. I am pleased that the Government has followed through on this promise with an investment of €50m in the Fund.
“The previous Government’s decision to abolish the NTPF has had catastrophic consequences for our health service. Waiting lists are the highest on record, with some patients forced to wait years for what should be routine procedures. There are now over 700 people waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital. This is simply unacceptable.
“Fianna Fáil has long argued for the restoration of the NTPF – it will reduce waiting lists and waiting times by referring public patients for treatment in private or public hospitals here, in Northern Ireland or abroad. It has been extremely effective in the past, especially here in Donegal, given our proximity to services in the North.
“We insisted that the restoration be included in the Confidence and Supply arrangement to facilitate a minority Government and It is crucial that we now see prompt results through the scheme for patients who are waiting on operations and health treatments”, concluded Deputy McConalogue.
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