Ms Catherine Donohoe:

An application to the treatment abroad scheme comes in two parts. Part A is completed by the patient and is on general information. Part B is completed by the treating consultant and referring consultant. The referring consultant must recommend the treatment and must provide a copy of the referral letter. In the case of mesh, they must have been seen in either the Dublin or Cork unit, and then have a second opinion from the other service. They must be a public patient. They must apply and receive prior authoritisation before they travel. They must be attending a service in the EU, the EEA, UK or Switzerland as a public patient.