Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004
153 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the case of a dangerously ill person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will reconsider their parents’ request to avail of appropriate treatment in the UK. [14061/04]
View answerWhere an individual requires necessary treatment that cannot be provided in Ireland a health board may refer them to another member state. Under EU regulations the board issues form E112 to the person being referred to establish his or her entitlement to such treatment and to imply a commitment by the health board to pay its cost. My Department has issued guidelines that outline the criteria to be used by health boards when assessing applications for approval of forms E112. They are as follows: the application to refer a patient abroad must be assessed before the patient goes abroad except in cases of extreme urgency; and medical evidence must be provided by a hospital consultant giving details of the condition from which the patient suffers and of the type of treatment envisaged. A consultant must also certify that the treatment is unavailable here, that there is an urgent medical necessity for it; that there is a reasonable medical prognosis; that there is proof to support it; and that it is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
