Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2011
104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has plan D medical insurance is better advised to obtain public or private treatment in order to undergo surgery in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39193/11]
View answerThe question of whether to seek public or private treatment, or to seek treatment abroad is a matter for the individual concerned and his Irish consultant.
The Health Service Executive operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme which allows for an Irish-based consultant to refer a patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment within the public health system in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets certain criteria. The application to refer a patient abroad must be assessed and determination given prior to the patient availing of the treatment abroad.
Contact details and further information on the scheme can be found on the HSE website www.hse.ie link http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find a Service/entitlements/E112/.
