SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
In July 2022, Health Minister Robin Swann announced an extension of the ROI Reimbursement scheme with an allocation of £5 million.
The scheme replaced the EU Healthcare Directive which ended as a direct consequence of Brexit in 2020.
However, Mr Durkan has called for further funding for the scheme as an interim solution to tackle the North’s dire health waiting lists.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This provision has been a vital interim solution to help people access treatment in the South.
“It is by no means a perfect scheme, it is unfortunate that the health service and patients here have become reliant on this provision to reduce spiralling waiting lists.
“The pandemic further highlighted the fragilities of our health system which was already in chaos following decades of underinvestment.
“I must stress that this avenue of healthcare delivery is not ideal and work must continue to rebuild capacity, particularly within elective surgery.
“The majority of applications to the cross border initiative falls under hip and knee replacements- of which there are thousands of patients currently waiting.
“On an almost daily basis I am contacted by constituents hoping to avail of this support, people more often than not, suffering agonising waits in pain and feeling they have nowhere else to turn.
“Sadly, I’ve had to advise several people this week alone that the scheme has exhausted its £5million fund and is now closed to new applicants.
“The uncertainty around future provision will no doubt cause anxiety for many people hoping to avail of the scheme.
“The loss of this provision will be cause further injury to a crippled health system. The fact that an allocation of £5 million has been depleted in a space of almost three months, underscores the huge demand for the scheme.
“Evidently, it is needed in the interim to take the pressure of services struggling to meet demand.
“I’ve written to the Health Minister regarding the possible extension of the scheme but appreciate current budget restrictions in the absence of an executive, will limit what action can be taken.
“I appreciate that a series of complications including reduced capacity and increasing healthcare costs in the south has limited the effectiveness of this initiative.
“As such any further iteration must look at increasing the current subsidy to ensure reduce the shortfall facing patients.
“The department must look at cost differentials going forward to determine the most viable option as well as securing a long term solution to Northern Ireland’s colossal waiting lists.”
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