Written answers

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

596. To ask the Minister for Health if he will meet families of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to discuss their concerns regarding the lack of implementation of the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive and its impact on their families. [16251/14]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the Deputy for his representations, and request for a meeting, on behalf of this group of patients. I am aware of the concerns of this group of patients, and others in a similar situation, regarding the delay in the transposition of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. While the transposition of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive is behind schedule in the area of reimbursement, the other key block in the implementation of the Directive is in place in relation to a national contact point (NCP) which has been set up within the HSE and can provide patient's with information on matters other than reimbursement.

Once the necessary statutory provisions are completed and in place this group, and others, will be able to proceed to make applications for reimbursement under the terms of the Directive. I would like to assure all concerned that my Department is continuing to work as quickly as possible on the necessary statutory provisions to fully implement the Directive and will have them in place as soon as possible.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

597. To ask the Minister for Health when the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16252/14]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursement to patients’ of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State (Member State of Affiliation) and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level through the legislation on the coordination of social security schemes (regulation 883/04).

The Directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework for the provision of cross-border healthcare within the EU, for those occasions where the care patients seek is provided in another Member State rather than in their home country. However, it should be emphasised that the vast majority of EU patients receive healthcare in their own country and prefer to do so. The Department of Health is continuing to work on the necessary statutory provisions to fully implement the Directive and will have them in place as soon as possible.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.