Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, who has been admitted in Sligo Regional Hospital for the past four weeks and who is awaiting surgery on a serious pelvic tumour in the UK, is entitled to access funding under the treatment abroad scheme; when this funding will be provided to enable them to travel to the Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital for this surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. I am advised by the HSE's Treatment Abroad Scheme Office that an application in respect of this patient has been received. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

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.