Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:470. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of subsidies paid to the private hospital network. [28824/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 4 July 2024
Ceisteanna (470)
Freagraí scríofa
The public health system does not subsidise the private healthcare system in Ireland.
The public health system does procure services from private healthcare providers to help support the public health system and provide services to public patients. Such services are procured by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), through panel agreements with private hospitals, uses the private sector as well as the public sector to purchase services for patients on public hospital waiting lists.
In addition, whilst there have always been local arrangements between public hospitals and adjacent private hospitals, the HSE has a procurement framework to allow public hospitals to access services in private hospitals. The framework was updated and extended in 2023, and covers procedures not procured by the NTPF.
In addition, to help alleviate the ongoing pressures on public emergency departments, the Framework for Urgent and Emergency Care was stood up by the HSE in December last year for the provision of private capacity to help support Urgent and Emergency Care.