Vol. 396 No. 6
194 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 will be approved for financial aid towards treatment she received abroad for which they applied in November-December 1989 to the Eastern Health Board; and if so, when a decision will be made in this regard.
I have been in touch with the Eastern Health Board which are responsible for the referral of patients from its area abroad. The board have furnished a report which states that the person in question was referred abroad by private arrangement and, therefore, the costs involved would be a matter for resolution between the patient and the authorities of the Birmingham clinic. However, the board agreed to examine the case on hardship grounds and they requested the patient to complete a financial assessment form. Following a detailed examination of the information supplied the board refused the application on the grounds that the person concerned had sufficient means to meet the cost of treatment. The person in question was notified of this decision by letter dated 22 November 1989 from the Eastern Health Board.
