Cross-border health scheme extended

The scheme allows NI patients to access private treatment in the Republic and have their costs reimbursed

A scheme which allows patients in Northern Ireland to apply to have their treatment carried out in the Republic of Ireland has been extended.

The Department of Health has allocated a further £5m towards the Health Service's Republic of Ireland Reimbursement Scheme.

Patients in NI can access private treatment across the border and have 50% to 80% of their costs reimbursed.

It was introduced on 1 July 2021 and was due to finish at the end of June.

The scheme is based on the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive.

Orthopaedic surgery

The Department of Health said from 1 July 2021 to the end of April 2022 there were 2,842 applications received and 2,246 applications already approved.

Eighty-nine percent of the applications to the scheme to date are for orthopaedic surgery, the vast majority of which relate to hip and knee replacements.

As of the end of February 2022, 540 people had completed treatment

Chief executive of Mater Private Network, David Slevin, said he was "very pleased" the scheme had been granted additional funding.

"Applications have grown and continue to grow with the long waiting lists in Northern Ireland," he said.

"People should not have to wait unnecessarily with chronic pain," he added.

Mr Slevin said people in Northern Ireland who are on a waiting list should contact their local HSCNI services to see if they qualify for the scheme.

New applications of the scheme are now being accepted and will be processed in chronological order.