If you are a public patient on a waiting list, there are options to help you get treatment with less delay.
The HSE has 2 schemes you can apply for:
We also work with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and our hospitals on ways to help people get treated quicker.
The NTPF offers outpatient and, in most cases, follow-on treatment in a number of areas. These include cataract and varicose vein treatments and hip replacements.
NTPF list of treatments
- Cataract treatment
- Cystoscopy
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Skin lesion surgery (general surgery and plastic surgery)
- Varicose vein treatment
- Angiogram
- Tonsillectomy
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Septoplasty
- Dental - maxillo-facial surgery
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy (for gynaecology)
- Hysterectomy
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Umbilical hernia repair
- Injection into zygoapophyseal (facet) joint - orthopaedics only
- Injection into a joint or other synovial cavity, not elsewhere classified - orthopaedics only
- Carpal tunnel release
- Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
In most cases the hospital or the NTPF will contact you with an appointment if:
- your treatment is one on the NTPF list
- you are waiting longer than 3 months
- you are clinically suitable
Contact your hospital or your referring clinician if:
- you are waiting more than 3 months for one of the treatments above
- have any questions or wish to be referred to NTPF
A referring clinician could be your GP or hospital consultant.
Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme
Treatment in Northern Ireland
- You must travel to Northern Ireland or get healthcare over the phone or by video call (telemedicine).
- If your care is by phone or video call it must be with a provider in Northern Ireland.
- You get treatment that is available to public patients in Ireland.
- You pay for the treatment and then apply to the HSE for reimbursement of some of the costs.
- Your GP or consultant must make the referral for you.
- You only get the treatment in a private setting.
Apply for the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme
Cross Border Directive
Treatment in Europe
- Your treatment must be in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) or be given over the phone or by video call (telemedicine).
- If your treatment is over the phone or by video call (telemedicine), it must come from a provider in the EU or EEA.
- You get treatment that is available to public patients in Ireland.
- You pay for the treatment and then apply to the HSE for reimbursement of some of the costs.
- Your GP or consultant must make the referral for you.
- You get the treatment in either a private or public setting.
Apply for the Cross Border Directive
Treatment not available in Ireland
If you are a public patient and require treatment that is not available in Ireland, you may be able to apply for the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS).
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Treatment in Europe
- Your treatment must be in the EU, EEA, the UK or Switzerland.
- You get treatment that is not available in Ireland.
- The HSE must approve your application before you go for treatment.
- Your referral must come from the public hospital consultant who is treating you.
- You only get the treatment in the public system.