Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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669. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a patient's referral (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reasons the patient has yet to be referred to the relevant experts despite assurances given by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41406/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients, in conjunction with their Irish based public referring hospital consultant, have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it. Applications to TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment.

The TAS allows for an Irish based medical consultant to refer a patient that is normally resident in Ireland for treatment, in a public hospital, in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:

(a)The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.

(b)Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:

- They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;

- The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;

- The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;

- The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;

- The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE).

Each application to TAS is processed and given a formal written decision. If that decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded.

I am advised by the HSE's Treatment Abroad Scheme Office that an application in respect of the patient completed by the patient's Irish-based referring consultant was received on 22 October and that the application will be assessed by that office pending receipt of further information requested from the referring consultant.