It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
In relation to the particular query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that it is about to procure a Framework for Healthcare Services which will replace the current framework. This process will be completed by the end of September this year. Ophthalmology services will be procured under this framework.
Currently, the NTPF has procured services for Ophthalmology outpatient full packages of care for cataract patients, as well as surgical services for patients listed for cataract procedures, strabismus procedures and ophthalmology lesion procedures.
