A new service provided by a local community volunteer to enable local people to access healthcare in Northern Ireland is to expand.
John O’Heney has developed a relationship with Kingsbridge Hospital in Belfast.
The Cross Border Healthcare Directive, known as the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme under new legislation and operated by the HSE entitles Irish patients waiting for surgery procedures in the Republic of Ireland to obtain treatment, in either a public or private setting within Northern Ireland.
The scheme is funded by the Department of Health to help provide faster access to treatment for those on waitlists.
Mr O’Heney has arranged for staff from the hospital to meet prospective patients in Pallasgreen on the morning of June 8th and in Cashel on the afternoon of June 8th.
There will also be a full day of appointments available in the Tipperary Excel Heritage Centre on Friday June 9th.
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
