ROI-NI Cross-Border Healthcare

The EU Healthcare Directive has now been replaced with the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. If you are entitled to public health services in Ireland and you choose to access those services in Northern Ireland you can be reimbursed by the HSE for the cost of medical treatment.

Cross-Border Patients

Cross Border Healthcare at Kingsbridge

Full Costs Covered for :

Hip Replacement Surgery
Knee Replacement Surgery
Gallbladder Removal Surgery
ACL Surgery
Vasectomy
Hysterectomy
Nose Septoplasty
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

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What Is The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme?

The Cross Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) was a piece of EU legislation that entitled patients in Ireland to avail of faster treatment or surgery across the border in Northern Ireland or in any other EU state.

This is now operating under new legislation as the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. So, access to Cross Border Healthcare in Northern Ireland for patients from the Republic of Ireland will continue as normal under the NEW NI Planned Healthcare Scheme.

Patients looking to avail of faster treatment or surgery across the border in NI will be able to follow the same pathway as under the previous healthcare plan and will be granted reimbursement of their treatment costs through the HSE.

Phone 048 9068 8858 today to speak to our One2One Patient Advisor, at Kingsbridge Private Hospital, Belfast, who can provide all the information you require to get your treatment started.

How Do You Access Treatment Under Cross Border Healthcare?

The patient contacts the Kingsbridge Private Hospital Cross Border Team on 048 9068 8858 or by emailing crossborder@kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com

Patient will be assigned to a specific consultant, and provided with a date, time and location for their appointment. This will also be confirmed in a letter by email/post.

Patient visits their own GP to have their referral letter addressed specifically to a Kingsbridge Private Hospital Consultant. The patient should obtain a copy of any recent (6 months) x-rays/scans.

Patient attends Kingsbridge Private Hospital appointment where all paperwork will be arranged for submission to the HSE. For inpatient surgery, approval is usually granted by letter within 4 weeks. For day cases e.g. cataracts, there is no need for prior approval.

The patient then contacts Kingsbridge Private Hospital to arrange a surgery date along with payment options. Payment is settled 5 days before admission date.

Patient attends for surgery and is discharged with pro forma invoice to be posted to the HSE for reimbursement (generally within 10 - 12 weeks), post-op discharge plan, and any relevant information required should patient experience post-op complications.

If you are entitled to public health services in Ireland and you choose to access those services in Northern Ireland you can be reimbursed by the HSE for the costs incurred

What Healthcare Treatments Are Covered?

Your referring clinician will be able to advise if the service you are seeking to access abroad is covered by the provisions of the Cross Border Healthcare scheme.

Treatments covered include current services provided by the HSE that you would access in a hospital or county clinic environment.

Examples of healthcare that are available under the scheme include:

Orthopaedic treatments, including surgery for hip, back and knee conditions
Ophthalmic treatments (eye conditions) including Cataract Surgery
Hand and wrist surgery, including Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Varicose vein surgery
Day, in-patient and outpatient care, including MRI and CT scans
Physiotherapy services
Cardiac services

Cataract Surgery Under The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme

The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme allows you to get cataract surgery in Northern Ireland. This continues to be the case following Brexit. Cataract Surgery is one of the most common treatments undertaken by patients travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast.

You can access this Cataract Surgery in the same way you'd get public healthcare in Ireland. The healthcare must be planned and you will need a valid referral from a GP.

While you must pay for any healthcare that you get, under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme you can then apply to the HSE for reimbursement towards the cost of the healthcare. You can not claim reimbursement for: the cost of any medicine you'll need afterwards nor can you claim for any travel costs.

Knee & Hip Surgery Under The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme

The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme can help you access the procedure you need more quickly with surgery costs reimbursed by the HSE. The NI Planned Healthcare Scheme enables you to access knee and hip surgery in Northern Ireland. This will be the case even after Brexit.

You can access this Knee and Hip Surgery in the same way you'd get public healthcare in Ireland. The healthcare must be planned and you will need a valid referral from a GP.

If you live in the Republic of Ireland and having been waiting, or expect to wait, many months for vital knee surgery our dedicated Cross Border Healthcare Team will be more than happy to explain and guide you through the process that will get you back on your feet again.

Together with some of the leading orthopaedic surgeons in Ireland, we are able to offer you treatments and surgery for Hip and Knee replacement surgery, ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair and spinal surgery,

While you must pay for any healthcare that you get, under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme you can then apply to the HSE for reimbursement towards the cost of the healthcare. You can not claim reimbursement for: the cost of any medicine you'll need afterwards nor can you claim for any travel costs.

Some health services are not included, for example, organ transplantation and long-term care such as nursing home care.

At the current time cancer treatments is not available at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. Paediatric surgery may be carried out at our sister hospital Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West. Please check with our team when calling.

Patient Testimonials

"Please do not remain in pain. If it’s not for yourself, maybe it's a relative or friend, maybe a neighbour you see struggling every day, whoever it may be, please tell them about the Cross Border Health Treatment. Yes, you need the money up front, but the wonderful thing about this EU Directive is that HSE will reimburse most of the monies, leaving you with only the shortfall to cover. DON'T REMAIN IN PAIN! Make that call to the cross border team at Kingsbridge and get your life back!" Mrs Lennon Sheils, Co Dublin

"I couldn't speak highly enough about this excellent facility. I had the procedure done under the Cross border health initiative. This initiative is a no brainer as you are reimbursed almost totally by HSE. You do have to put the money for the op up front and that may be an issue but if you can raise it in some way then don’t suffer any longer my reason for bringing this to attention is that it is not advertised and that is a shame, Kingsbridge private hospital will bring you through the entire process." Mr McGarrell , Cavan

"Excellent Care, friendly caring staff, good facilities. The Cross Border Health Directive was quick, efficient, easy to navigate and staff were lovely to deal with." Ms O’Driscoll, Co Cork

"Good experience, good hospital, good staff!" Mr Ryan, Co Leitrim

"I was delighted with my experience, very quick and easy to work with both sides (Kingsbridge Hospital & HSE) Happy with everything. Thank-you." Ms Corcoran , Co Kildare

"From the moment I attended the clinic to my operation I got 5-star treatment in every way. I have, and I will continue to recommend Kingsbridge Private Hospital and the Cross Border Health Directive." Mr Kavanagh, Co Carlow

"If it were not for Kingsbridge Hospital and the treatment received from my consultant and his team, I would to this day be unable to drive in the evening. Thanks to the fabulous people who looked after me." Ms Moyles , Co Meath

"I thought about want I wanted to write for a few days because it is important to me that I do justice to my visit and subsequent stay at Kingsbridge Hospital. From making my initial enquiry through to surgery and aftercare I experienced kindness, professionalism, encouragement, attention to detail. Every single member of staff was excellent, I have never felt so well cared for and in such luxurious surroundings. The food was amazing! Kingsbridge radiates excellence in care from phone call to aftercare. Thank-you." Ms McLoughlin , Co Dublin

"My eye sight deteriorated rapidly so I called Kingsbridge Private Hospital they were able to guide me through the whole process from beginning to end. My appointment was booked for the following week and I had surgery on both eyes a month later and I couldn’t be happier.
Thank-you to all the staff at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. I would also like to say a huge thank-you to my Consultant and that my eyesight now is wonderful." Ms Brennan , Co. Monaghan

"Very, very good. It was quick and I had my operation done in a month. The people at the Cross Border Health office in the HSE were so helpful and friendly. I had my money refunded in a short space of time. Hopefully you will carry on the good work. Thank-you" Ms McDonagh , Co Kildare

"I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Kingsbridge Hospital. The Care and the attention was above expectations. All the staff were very friendly and courteous. The meals from the kitchen were excellent." Mr Sheridan, Co Dublin

"Positive thanks to Kingsbridge administration team, they helped with all forms and guided me through every step of the way and met me at my appointment. Nothing was too much for them, can’t thank you enough." Ms Butler, Co Dublin

"My experience of attending Kingsbridge hospital was really fantastic. My operation went really well and I am now free from pain. Doctors, nurses and staff were really kind and professional, I could not give them enough praise. I can now plan on going on a holiday with my family and not being a burden on them having to link me around and I can leave the walking stick at home. Thanks be to god and to the Doctors and staff at Kingsbridge Hospital." Ms Kenny, Co Longford

"Kingsbridge were very helpful and guided me through the process and paper work. The procedure I had worked 100% and the care I got from all the doctors and nurses was first class." Mr Donnelly, Co Louth

"
I have received two knee replacements in the last six months and I can honestly say I feel ten years younger and pain free. Best way I can describe it is, I am walking places I cannot ever remember walking before. Before I had to count my steps and the quickest way to do the job, as my knees wouldn’t withstand the pressure.

Finally on behalf of myself Gerard, my daughters Geraldine, Deirdre and Gráinne Ashe, we would like to sincerely thank, Dr Laurence Cusick, his surgical team, ward nurses, ancillary staff in the hospital and Andrena Orme (One2OneAdvisor) for their continuous professional care and support. Being all the way from Kerry I felt very safe and in good hands. It’s a 10/10 for me!
" Mr. Ashe, Kerry

"
I can't thank this hospital enough, particularly my consultant Barry Clements. I had been on the waiting list in southern Ireland for gall bladder removal surgery for a long time. My health was suffering significantly and I could no longer wait so decided to do the cross boarder scheme. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is waiting on surgery in southern Ireland. The hospital team was very helpful and all paper work that I required to be reimbursed through the HSE was given to me to send off. I waited about 10 weeks and was reimbursed most of the cost. Thanks again to Kings bridge , Barry Clements and all their team. Kind regards, Jenny
" Ms Jenny McCann, ROI