Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was referred to Altnagelvin Area Hospital for follow-up treatment subsequent to having undergone surgery at North West Independent Hospital, Ballykelly via the cross-border health care directive; the reason this follow-up treatment incurred charges of in excess of £20,000stg for which the patient is now supposedly liable; if this person is liable for these charges and, if so, the assistance that will be provided to this person from authorities here considering the person's inability to reasonably meet these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7500/16]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The EU Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare aims to ensure EU citizens may access safe and good quality healthcare services across EU borders. In line with the terms of the Directive where a patient has received cross-border healthcare and where medical follow-up proves necessary, the HSE will ensure that the same medical follow-up is available as would have been if that healthcare had been provided here. In this case the follow-up care was provided in Northern Ireland.

The matter of the charges raised for the follow-up care provided in Northern Ireland is not within the remit of the Minister for Health in this State. Nonetheless, the National Contact Point (in respect of cross-border healthcare under the Directive) of the HSE is aware of this case and has had contact with the patient’s family.  The HSE is assisting the family in resolving this matter including writing to the private facility in question in relation to this patient.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

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