Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme

The Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS) is a scheme to get endometriosis surgery abroad.

It's for patients who are on a public or private waiting list waiting list for endometriosis surgery that a consultant gynaecologist in Ireland recommends for them.

The scheme is running while the HSE puts more endometriosis services in place. It is separate to other schemes such as the Treatment Abroad Scheme and Cross Border Directive Scheme (CBD).

It covers the cost of appointments and surgery abroad and some travel costs. The appointments and surgery must be on our list of approved healthcare centres.

How the ESAIS works

To apply you and your consultant gynaecologist in Ireland must complete the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme application form (PDF, 260 KB, 16 pages).

Your consultant gynaecologist will also need to provide you with a copy of your referral letter for surgery abroad.

You must apply to the scheme and wait until you get formal approval before you:

• book or pay for travel
• attend any appointment with a consultant abroad
• have surgery abroad

Who can apply for the ESAIS

You can apply if you live in Ireland and are on a waiting list for endometriosis surgery that a consultant in Ireland recommends for you.

Who cannot apply

You cannot apply if you:

• have a date for your surgery in Ireland
• do not have a referral from a consultant gynaecologist employed by the HSE or on the Irish Medical Council’s Specialist Register for Obstetrics and Gynaecology working in Ireland
• plan to have your surgery in a healthcare centre abroad that is not on our approved list

If you are not eligible to apply

If you are not eligible for this scheme you may be able to apply to get healthcare through another scheme.

If you are unsure what scheme you may be eligible for, contact us for information.

Costs covered by the ESAIS

If your application is approved, we will cover the costs of your healthcare abroad.

We will pay the healthcare centre directly. You do not need to pay or claim for repayment.

We will cover some of your travel expenses. But we will not cover accommodation, food and other subsistence (living) costs abroad for you or anyone who travels with you.

Travel expenses

The ESAIS covers your basic air and sea fares for:

• 1 'pre-op' appointment before your surgery
• 1 surgery

If your consultant recommends it we will cover these fares for 1 travelling companion age over 18.

By basic air and sea fares we mean the:

• cost of the airline or ferry economy ticket charge
• government and airport or sea port charges

The scheme does not cover costs such as luggage charges, travel agent fees or other transport costs.

Applying for the ESAIS

To apply for the ESAIS:

1. You and your consultant gynaecologist in Ireland choose a healthcare centre abroad from our list together and complete the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme application form (PDF, 260 KB, 16 pages)
2. You send us your completed form and copy of your referral letter for surgery abroad - by email or post.
3. We review your application and make a decision within 15 working days (about 3 weeks), but we aim to answer you as quickly as possible.

List of approved healthcare centres for endometriosis surgery

Completing your ESAIS application form

There are 2 sections on the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme application form (PDF, 260 KB, 16 pages).

You and your consultant gynaecologist in Ireland need to complete this form in full.

You must complete section A first.

Your consultant gynaecologist in Ireland must complete section B.

You can complete this form by hand or electronically.

By hand

Complete the form in block capitals with a black ballpoint pen.

Electronically

1. Download the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme application form (PDF, 260 KB, 16 pages) and save the form to a computer.
2. Complete section A of the form with your details.
3. Save the completed form to your computer.
4. Email the saved version of the completed form to your consultant gynaecologist to complete section B.

Sending your application form

Your consultant gynaecologist must return the completed form and copy of your referral letter to you so you can send them to us.

What you need to provide

With your completed application form, you also need to provide:

• a copy of your referral letter for surgery abroad - your consultant gynaecologist will provide this to you

Where to send the form

You can send us your completed application form by email or post.

Email

Email your completed application form and copy of your referral letter as attachments to:

endometriosisabroad@hse.ie

Post

Post your completed application form and copy of your referral letter to:

Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme,
HSE,
Model Business Park,
Model Farm Road,
Cork,
T12 HT02

Application decision

We review your application and make a decision within 15 working days (about 3 weeks), but we aim to answer you as quickly as possible.

We send the decision to both you and your consultant gynaecologist - in writing. We do not give decisions over the phone.

If your application is incomplete, we will return it to you, asking for further information.

Approved applications

We will write to you if we approve your application and we will explain the next steps.

Declined applications

We will write to you if we decline your application.

We will explain:

• why we declined your application
• how to appeal the decision

After your surgery abroad

When you are discharged from the healthcare centre abroad, your care returns to your consultant in Ireland.

The hospital abroad will send your consultant a medical report and care plan. Your treatment will continue in Ireland.

If you need to travel abroad again for endometriosis surgery you will need to send us a new application.

Contact

Online: Complete our online enquiry form

Email: endometriosisabroad@hse.ie

Freephone HSE Live on 1800 700 700 or phone 01 240 8787

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

Saturday, 9am to 5pm