NTPF funding to another public hospital suspended over 'potential financial irregularities'
THE NATIONAL TREATMENT Purchase fund has cut funding to another public hospital temporarily after finding ' potential financial irregularities' in relation to NTPF-funded insourcing work at another public hospital.
The NTPF has suspended all insourcing work at that hospital since 11 April, it said.
It has alerted the Department of Health and the HSE of its findings and subsequent actions.
'The matter has been referred to the HSE's Internal Audit team. The NTPF is restricted from making further comment at this stage,' a spokesperson said.
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The NTPF did not name the hospital in question.
It further announced that it has recommenced insourcing clinics at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals after they were temporarily paused after an internal CHI report, which has not been published but has been seen by
The Journal
and other media outlets, raised concerns that children were having to wait longer for surgical interventions due to being placed on the waitlist for an NTPF funded insourcing clinic.
The NTPF has said that it will now 'increase' its governance and oversight across its insourcing work in public hospitals.
'Insourcing work through the NTPF has delivered benefits to thousands of patients in recent years and has a demonstrable impact on waiting times and waiting list numbers.
'However, it is vital there is public trust and confidence around insourcing with public hospitals. It must be remembered that these public hospitals already have clear and established lines of reporting and accountability within the public system and clear obligations to comply with the terms of the signed Memorandum of Understanding in respect of NTPF-funded work' NTPF Chief Executive Fiona Brady said.
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