Vol. 539 No. 3
14 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people over the past three years who have been referred by health boards or his Department for treatment overseas; the estimated costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19115/01]
The specific data requested by the Deputy are not routinely collected by my Department and I have therefore asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the chief executive officer of each health board to collate the figures for their respective regions and to forward them directly to the Deputy.
The referral of patients abroad scheme is administered by the regional health boards in respect of cases which arise in their respective region. The criteria for the referral of patients abroad are the same for all cases where treatment is sought. The 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 authority or health board concerned to examine the circumstances of each individual case and to decide whether the foregoing criteria have been met. The assessment of whether the treatment sought is appropriate for the individual concerned is the clinical responsibility of the consultant involved based on his or her professional judgment.
