Latest news with #NTPF-funded
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
NTPF funding halted at second hospital over ‘potential financial irregularities'
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) said it had suspended all insourcing work at the public hospital since April 11 and immediately informed the Department of Health and Health Service Executive (HSE). The matter had been referred to the HSE's internal audit team. 'The board and executive of the NTPF take their responsibilities very seriously and will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure our spend with public hospitals is fully protected for the benefit of public patients,' NTPF chief executive Fiona Brady said. 'Any proven misuse of public money by public institutions will be treated with the gravity it deserves.' The NTPF, which is a body that arranges external treatments for patients on public hospital waiting lists, has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. It was reported in the Sunday Times that a consultant breached HSE guidelines by referring patients he was seeing in his public practice to his weekend private clinics, rather than securing earlier treatment for them by referring them to HSE colleagues. The newspaper said the consultant was paid thousands of euro through the NTPF, and the details were uncovered by an internal investigation by Children's Health Ireland (CHI). The NTPF said on Wednesday that following a meeting of its board, it would immediately recommence insourcing work with CHI after a review of its assurances. But it said that the board and executive 'remain deeply concerned' that there had been a breach of its processes by another public body. It said governance and oversight across its insourcing work with public hospitals – who until now have been responsible for this internal governance – would increase. As well as notifying the Department of Health and HSE of its decision, the NTPF had also written to all public hospitals with whom it funds insourcing work to obtain further confirmation that all work is carried out in line with the NTPF's processes and procedures. A deadline of Monday June 16 has been given for the completion of these replies. '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,' Ms Brady said. '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. 'We will now work urgently with the Department of Health and HSE on any additional measures that may be needed to ensure that necessary controls of NTPF-funded initiatives are in place in the public hospitals.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Funding to help alleviate waiting lists suspended at second hospital over ‘potential financial irregularities'
FUNDING to help alleviate waiting lists has been suspended at a second hospital because of 'potential financial irregularities'. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) said it had suspended all insourcing work at the public hospital since April 11 and immediately informed the Department of Health and Advertisement The matter had been referred to the HSE's internal audit team. NTPF chief executive Fiona Brady said: 'The board and executive of the NTPF take their responsibilities very seriously and will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure our spend with public hospitals is fully protected for the benefit of public patients. 'Any proven misuse of public money by public institutions will be treated with the gravity it deserves.' The NTPF, which is a body that arranges external treatments for patients on public hospital waiting lists, has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Advertisement Read more in News It was reported in the Sunday Times that a consultant breached HSE guidelines by referring patients he was seeing in his public practice to his weekend clinics, rather than securing earlier treatment for them by referring them to HSE colleagues. The newspaper said the consultant was paid thousands of euro through the NTPF, and the details were uncovered by an internal investigation by Children's Health The NTPF said on Wednesday that following a meeting of its board, it would immediately recommence insourcing work with CHI after a review of its assurances. But it said that the board and executive 'remain deeply concerned' that there had been a breach of its processes by another public body. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun It said governance and oversight across its insourcing work with public hospitals – who until now have been responsible for this internal governance – would increase. As well as notifying the Department of A deadline of Monday June 16 has been given for the completion of these replies. Ms Brady said: '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. Advertisement '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. 'We will now work urgently with the Department of Health and HSE on any additional measures that may be needed to ensure that necessary controls of NTPF-funded initiatives are in place in the public hospitals.' 1 Funding to help alleviate waiting lists has been suspended at a second hospital by the NTPF (stock image) Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Funding pulled at another hospital as NTPF flags 'potential irregularities'
Funding to help alleviate waiting lists has been suspended at a second hospital because of 'potential financial irregularities'. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) said it had suspended all insourcing work at the public hospital since April 11 and immediately informed the Department of Health and Health Service Executive (HSE). The matter had been referred to the HSE's internal audit team. 'The board and executive of the NTPF take their responsibilities very seriously and will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure our spend with public hospitals is fully protected for the benefit of public patients,' NTPF chief executive Fiona Brady said. 'Any proven misuse of public money by public institutions will be treated with the gravity it deserves.' The NTPF, which is a body that arranges external treatments for patients on public hospital waiting lists, has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. It was reported in the Sunday Times that a consultant breached HSE guidelines by referring patients he was seeing in his public practice to his weekend private clinics, rather than securing earlier treatment for them by referring them to HSE colleagues. The newspaper said the consultant was paid thousands of euro through the NTPF, and the details were uncovered by an internal investigation by Children's Health Ireland (CHI). The NTPF said on Wednesday that following a meeting of its board, it would immediately recommence insourcing work with CHI after a review of its assurances. But it said that the board and executive 'remain deeply concerned' that there had been a breach of its processes by another public body. It said governance and oversight across its insourcing work with public hospitals – who until now have been responsible for this internal governance – would increase. As well as notifying the Department of Health and HSE of its decision, the NTPF had also written to all public hospitals with whom it funds insourcing work to obtain further confirmation that all work is carried out in line with the NTPF's processes and procedures. A deadline of Monday June 16 has been given for the completion of these replies. '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,' Ms Brady said. '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. 'We will now work urgently with the Department of Health and HSE on any additional measures that may be needed to ensure that necessary controls of NTPF-funded initiatives are in place in the public hospitals.'
The Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
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. Advertisement 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. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Second hospital investigated for financial irregularities in national waiting list fund
The national fund covering hospital waiting list initiatives is now investigating a second hospital for "potential financial irregularities" and has asked all hospitals to report on their use of this money. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has faced scrutiny since an unpublished report revealed that extra clinics held on weekends at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) did not meet the required criteria. In fact, the report raised concerns that some children waited longer than they would have through standard care due to how the funding was used in this case. The NTPF paused funding for this insourcing work — where a hospital pays a sister facility in its group to treat patients — at CHI. On Tuesday, they said they are now to 'recommence insourcing work, effective immediately, with CHI after a review of the assurances given by CHI in relation to its ongoing compliance with existing NTPF protocols and procedures.' However, in the first sign that these issues extend to other hospitals, as opposition politicians recently warned, the NTPF confirmed that another site is now under investigation. 'The NTPF confirms it has also alerted the Department of Health and HSE about potential financial irregularities in relation to NTPF-funded insourcing work at another public hospital. The NTPF has suspended all insourcing work with that hospital since 11th April,' a spokesman said. 'The NTPF immediately informed the Department and HSE of these concerns and is working with them in relation to the ongoing review. The matter has been referred to the HSE's Internal Audit team. The NTPF is restricted from making further comment at this stage.' A spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about when the HSE and Minister for Health were informed of the issue. The fund has written to all hospitals receiving insourcing funding, requesting confirmation that the work complies with required guidelines. 'A strict deadline of next Monday, June 16th has been given for the completion of these replies and the NTPF will report on this to the Department and the HSE,' the spokesman said. Chief Executive Fiona Brady said the NTPF is 'deeply concerned' that proper procedures were not followed. 'The NTPF will now increase governance and oversight across its insourcing work with public hospitals, who up to now have been responsible for this internal governance,' a spokesman said. They have shared this plan with the HSE and the Department of Health. Read More Mental Health Bill may delay treatment for teenagers, Oireachtas committee hears
