Statement by Private Hospitals Association on Budget 2019

Speaking on the announcement of Budget 2019, Chairman of the Private Hospitals Association, Michael Cullen said “While acknowledging a €20 million increase,  the government has again ducked the opportunity to make a substantial impact on Hospital waiting lists by failing to commit to a multi annual funding mechanism for the National treatment purchase fund.”

“In addition a substantial element of NTPF funding is today simply going back into the public system in the form of in-sourcing activity which in turn is shoring up the financial deficits that exist within our public hospital system nationally.”

“This is all a far cry from the NTPF budgets of the past and it reinforces the reluctance of government to draw on in any meaningful way the substantial capacity the private hospital sector has across Ireland, to resolve the endemic problem of patient waiting lists in this country.”

ENDS/

For more information, please contact:

Aidan O’Connor- aidan@q4pr.ie / 087 634 2119