title: The impact of the National Treatment Purchase Fund on numbers of core urology training cases at University Hospital Galway.
abstract: Since the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) scheme was introduced in 2002, public patients waiting longer than three months for investigations and treatment are offered care in the private medical sector. Our aim was to assess the impact of the NTPF scheme on the number of training cases performed at University Hospital Galway (UHG). The number and type of urological procedures performed in the private medical sector under the NTFP scheme in 2008 were obtained from the UHG waiting list office. The number of these procedures performed on public patients by trainees at UHG in 2008 was determined retrospectively by reviewing theatre records. A significant number of core urology procedures were performed in the private sector via the NTPF scheme. Cancer centre designation and implementation of the EWTD will also place further pressures on urological training opportunities in Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University College Hospital Galway, Galway City, Ireland. harneyt@gmail.com
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Harney
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007494:Ireland; D017149:Private Sector; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D014850:Waiting Lists