Health Minister Unveils Plan to Reimburse Long Hospital Waiting List Patients

Health Minister Unveils Plan to Reimburse Long Hospital Waiting List Patients

The Health Minister has today confirmed that the new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence next week. From June 2, the scheme will be available to patients who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland and have been waiting two years or more for hospital treatment on a HSC waiting list. It will cover procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland. Subject to available funding, the Department of Health is considering extending the scheme later this year to include procedures undertaken in other European Union countries. Speaking this morning, Mike Nesbitt said:

"This £10million investment is an important step in addressing the serious challenges posed by long hospital waiting lists. As I outlined to the Assembly, this scheme is part of a much wider package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and deliver better outcomes for patients. It gives those who have waited two years or more the opportunity to seek treatment privately with the reassurance that costs will be reimbursed up to the HSC equivalent rate. I will continue to bring forward further measures to ensure patients across Northern Ireland get the care they need more quickly."

Patients must receive prior approval from the Department before proceeding with treatment. Retrospective applications will not be accepted. The scheme will be implemented in phases: To support patients, a dedicated online information hub will provide full guidance on how to apply, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and access to the application form. A helpline to assist patients with enquiries and the application process will operate Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Further details of how to access the online hub and the telephone helpline will be released in due course.

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