Hospitals face demands for confirmations regarding financial needs by the NTPF

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) Cracks Down on Compliance

Hospitals face demands for confirmations regarding financial needs by the NTPF

In response to concerns about potential misuse of funds and adherence to requirements, the NTPF has reached out to public hospitals receiving their funding. The move follows revelations about an unpublished 2022 report highlighting questionable practices at a CHI facility, such as one consultant seeing patients during weekends via the NTPF system outside of contracted hours [1].

Consequently, the NTPF enforced a temporary halt on all insourcing work with CHI while conducting a thorough review, evaluating compliance, value, and proper utilization of its funds. The review is set to lift as soon as the NTPF receives satisfactory confirmation from CHI [2].

Media reports suggesting thousands of children might face delays due to this pause were dismissed as inaccurate, ill-informed, and disappointing by the NTPF. It clarified that NTPF-funded work comprises only a minority of the total work undertaken by CHI [2].

A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed that all patients scheduled before the temporary NTPF suspension are proceeding as planned. Outsourcing will continue as well [2].

It appears that only a small proportion (64 out of 2,700) of the approved procedures at CHI have been carried out thus far [6]. The review also indicated that approximately 115 out-patient department appointments per week are being delivered using the NTPF way [6].

The suspension of NTPF funding and subsequent review have implications for the extensive waiting lists for pediatric treatments at CHI hospitals. Currently, there are about 6,432 children waiting for in-patient or day case treatment, with 1,557, 814, and 941 waiting for six to 12 months, 12-18 months, and 18 months or more, respectively [6].

Respiratory medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics, and paediatric surgery are the most affected sectors, with 1,512, 883, 730, 703, and 567 children waiting, respectively [6]. Moreover, there were 34,890 children waiting for outpatient clinics at CHI hospitals as of April [6].

Meanwhile, NTPF has written to all public hospitals it funds for insourcing work, seeking assurances that all work is carried out in line with the MoUs and NTPF processes [3]. The deadline for completing this work is set for Monday, 16 June [3], with the NTPF planning to report on this to the Department and the HSE.

The NTPF Review: Key Facts

• The NTPF initiated a review of its insourcing work with Children's Health Ireland (CHI) due to allegations of abuse of waiting lists [3][4].
• The review and a temporary funding suspension were prompted by a report suggesting a "root and branch review" of the NTPF's use was necessary at CHI [3][4].
• Funding from the NTPF to CHI is set to recommence imminently, contingent on CHI providing satisfactory assurances regarding their compliance with NTPF guidelines [2].
• The suspension and subsequent review have implications for waiting lists for pediatric treatments at CHI hospitals, potentially stabilizing and reducing waiting times once the needed assurances are met [1][2].
• The NTPF faces additional scrutiny over its oversight and funding practices following concerns about patient safety and calls for reforms such as a centralized referral system [5].

1. The science of healthcare funding, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), has taken steps to ensure compliance amongst hospitals receiving their funds.
2. The move comes after reports of questionable practices in a CHI facility, such as consultants seeing patients outside of contracted hours.
3. In response, the NTPF has temporarily halted all insourcing work with CHI, conducting a thorough review of its funds' utilization and compliance.
4. The review aims to evaluating compliance, value, and proper utilization of funds, which is set to lift once satisfactory confirmation from CHI is received.
5. Media reports suggested thousands of children may face delays due to the pause, but the NTPF dismissed them as inaccurate and disappointing.
6. The NTPF clarified that NTPF-funded work comprises only a minority of the total work undertaken by CHI.
7. Only a small proportion of the approved procedures at CHI have been carried out thus far, according to the review.
8. Approximately 115 out-patient department appointments per week are being delivered using the NTPF way.
9. The suspension of NTPF funding and subsequent review have implications for extensive waiting lists for pediatric treatments at CHI hospitals.
10. As of April, there were 34,890 children waiting for outpatient clinics at CHI hospitals.
11. Respiratory medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics, and paediatric surgery are the most affected sectors, with hundreds of children waiting.
12. The NTPF has written to all public hospitals it funds for insourcing work, seeking assurances that all work is carried out in line with the MoUs and NTPF processes.
13. The deadline for completing this work is set for Monday, 16 June.
14. The NTPF plans to report on this to the Department and the HSE after the deadline.
15. The NTPF has initiated a review of its insourcing work with Children's Health Ireland (CHI) due to allegations of abuse of waiting lists.
16. The review and temporary funding suspension were prompted by a report suggesting a "root and branch review" of the NTPF's use was necessary at CHI.
17. Funding from the NTPF to CHI is set to recommence imminently, contingent on CHI providing satisfactory assurances regarding their compliance with NTPF guidelines.
18. The suspension and subsequent review have implications for waiting lists for pediatric treatments at CHI hospitals, potentially stabilizing and reducing waiting times once the needed assurances are met.
19. The NTPF faces additional scrutiny over its oversight and funding practices following concerns about patient safety and calls for reforms such as a centralized referral system.
20. Emphasis on workplace wellness, in the form of mental health, and addressing medical conditions like chronic diseases is crucial in the industry.
21. Cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye-health, hearing, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, sexual health, autoimmune disorders, climate change, and manufacturing are significant areas of concern in this regard.
22. In the realm of health, including mens' and womens' health, attention to skin care, therapies and treatments, nutrition, and aging is essential.
23. Cardiovascular health, neurological disorders, and environmental science are integral to the holistic approach to health and wellness.
24. Finance, energy, retail, entrepreneurship, transportation, leadership, diversity and inclusion, small business, investing, wealth management, and real estate are all crucial aspects of the career landscape.
25. In the financial sector, personal finance, banking and insurance, fintech, and the stock market are key areas of interest.
26. Savings, debt management, and budgeting are essential skills for individuals to navigate their personal finances effectively.
27. The private equity and venture capital spheres offer opportunities for substantial wealth generation, while also playing a role in shaping the business landscape and supporting innovative small businesses.

Read also: