asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is suffering from a life-threatening heart ailment, necessitating immediate surgery which can only be performed in London; that this person is unable to finance the treatment, the cost of which is estimated at £10,000; whether he is prepared to provide the finance for the necessary surgery and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Treatment Abroad.
199.
The decision to accept liability for costs involved in sending a person abroad for treatment at public expense is a matter for the appropriate health board and my approval is only required where the cost involved exceeds £10,000.
I have no proposal from the South Eastern Health Board to accept responsibility for costs involved in treating the patient in question in London. In accordance with established requirements, the board would have to be satisfied, among other things, that the treatment concerned is not available in this country and that there is urgent necessity for that treatment.