National Treatment Purchase Fund [NTPF] question.

D

DirectDevil

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BACKGROUND.

Patient, mid 60s, referred to local public hospital as GP wanted a potential skin / melanoma issue probed.
Patient does not have health insurance so he goes public.
Referral by GP was acknowledged to the patient and informed that they were now on a waiting list - appointment to follow.

QUERIES ;

1. Does the NTPF have any involvement in outpatient appointments ?

2. If so, after what period of time would the NTPF intervene to secure an outpatient appointment for initial assessment if the patient has not been seen ?

I have tried to research the matter on the NTPF website but just could not follow it !!
 
Yes they do get involved. But I’m not sure how long you would have to wait. Have you tried calling the hospital and ask to speak to the consultants secretary. Alternatively ask for the dermatologist nurse specialist. They might give you more information about expected wait times. The alternative is to pay privately to see a dermatologist in a private clinic.
 
There is a new clinic advertising recently called Dermview (no connection) that should take the GP referral. Patient would have to pay though as it's a private service, AFAIK. I believe the Consultants here might work in both the public and private sectors.
 
I would personally prefer a face to face consultation. Virtual consultations are not the same as a proper examination of skin lesions. If a biopsy is required then a virtual consultation will be of no use. It all depends on where the OP lives. All the clinics have websites. There are also some dermatologists in their own private rooms not linked to hospitals. Ring around a few to see how long the wait is.
 
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