Vol. 509 No. 1
193 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation and process for patients to be granted assistance to travel abroad for medical treatment not available here; and if he will assist in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin where no assistance is forthcoming to date from the Eastern Health Board. [19487/99]
Health boards may refer patients for treatment abroad where certain criteria have been met. These criteria are as follows: the treatment concerned is not available in this country; there is an urgent medical necessity for the treatment; there is a reasonable medical prognosis; the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment and is recommended by the patient's consultant; the treatment is to be carried out in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
It is a matter for the health board concerned to examine the circumstances of each individual case and to decide on whether the above criteria have been met. I have therefore asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the circumstances of this case and reply directly to the Deputy.
