Vol. 558 No. 6
131 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 28 November 2002, the directions issued by his Department outlining the objective criteria which health boards must consider prior to referring patients abroad for treatment; if these criteria were applied in the case of the person mentioned in the parliamentary question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/02]
My Department issued circular 21/85 to the health boards outlining the criteria that must be applied when considering applications for authorisation to receive treatment in another EU member state. The responsibility for applying these criteria to the specific circumstances of each case seeking such authorisations rests with the health boards and the ERHA.
My Department has asked the acting chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to investigate the specific circumstances of this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
