Life Changing Scheme Helps Magdalena & Parents Skip HSE Waiting Lists

27th, Feb 2020

The Cross Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) is a piece of EU legislation that entitles patients in Ireland to avail of faster treatment or surgery across the border in Northern Ireland or in any other EU state at potentially no cost.

Magdalena Konazyk from Co. Clare did just that and was able to avail of treatment for her painful varicose veins. ‘I was waiting three years on a hospital list for a procedure that took just 30 seconds.’ She has since gone back to college, training to be a gymnastics coach and now feels ready to resume her career in 2020.
 
‘Ms Konazyk (41), who is Polish and has been living in Lahinch for over 20 years, needed a scan to assess her very painful varicose veins. “I went to the Kingsbridge Hospital in Belfast and now the pain is gone.”
 
The scheme has been life-changing, not just for her but also for her parents Lucja (62) and Andzej (69), who live in Lisdoonvarna and who have also availed of it to escape waiting lists. “My mother needed a knee replacement and was on a waiting list in Limerick for nearly four years,” she said. She also availed of the cross-border directive in May and it has transformed her life. “My father is also having the same varicose veins procedure as I had.”
 
The scheme requires the patient to pay the cost upfront and the family took out a loan of €13,000 from the credit union. Her mother’s operation cost €12,500 and they were reimbursed for €11,500. The varicose vein treatment costs €2,500 and they are reimbursed for €2,200.’ - Irish Independent
 
With waiting lists continuing to increase patients are waiting months, or even years for treatment with access and treatment delays being among the top complaints from patients faced by the HSE.
 
In the last year 3,501 people availed of the scheme and were reimbursed for €8.9m - HSE.ie
 
Whether you are currently on a waiting list or not, you to can avail of the Cross Border Directive. Simply contact 048 9068 8858 to speak to our One2One patient advisor who will guide you through the process. 
 
Alternatively, you can Request a Call Back online via our website.

Why Wait?

Pictured above: Magdalena Konazyk and her parents Andzej and Lucja
Photo credits: Andrew Downes, Xposure, Irish Independent
Quotes: Magdalena Konazyk