Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
695. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive treatment abroad scheme office to accept statements from consultants in hospitals here that state clearly that an applicants required treatment is not available here. [52828/12]
View answerThe HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health and Children Guidelines. Within these governing EU Regulations and the Department of Health and Children’s Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE).
The TAS allows for an Irish based Consultant to refer a patient that is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in another EU member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:
(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.
(b) Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:
- They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
- The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
- The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;
- The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;
- The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE).
Applications to the scheme are only accepted on the basis of referral from an Irish based consultant and not self referrals, referral from a G.P. or by way of a consultant/hospital outside the state requesting the return of a patient. Patients must be clinically assessed prior to referral and application to the HSE TAS for treatment abroad.
This system also ensures that the patients have continuity of care here in Ireland and as a result any future referrals needed can be made in line with the requirements of the Scheme.
