EU Report On Cross Border Health Directive

Commenting on a response to a written question received by him from the European Commission, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy has welcomed the confirmation that the European Commission will draw up a report on its operation by the 25th October 2015.

Carthy said:

“The Cross Border Health Directive allows patients to receive medical treatment in another member state of the EU where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home member state.

“Patients from this jurisdiction who are entitled to avail of the Cross Border Health Directive will have their costs reimbursed by the HSE after treatment.

“Figures released from the HSE show that in October 2014 a mere 21 applicants applied for prior authorisation of treatment under the Directive and of these, only 4 were approved for treatment.

“This is despite the fact that, according to the latest figures released from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, there are over 400,000 people on the outpatient waiting list and almost 70,000 people on the inpatient waiting lists in hospitals around the state.

“The figures for hospitals in the border region amount to over 48,000 for outpatient lists and just over 6,500 for inpatient lists.

“There can be no doubt that the current waiting list figures are a disgrace and a damning indictment of this Government, which is ultimately responsible for providing adequate resources to tackle them effectively.

“However, it is clear that not enough information is being provided to patients who may be eligible to receive their treatment under the terms of this Directive. In that sense, in my view, patients are being let down again by this Government.

“I look forward with interest to the report by the European Commission on this matter and I hope it will provide some useful insights into the operation of this Directive and how it can be better utilised by patients who require medical treatment.”

 

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