Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
774. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are in place to ensure long-term follow-up care for patients undergoing procedures abroad under the treatment abroad scheme, and whether compliance with follow-up protocols is monitored or audited. [28076/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra784. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal requirement exists obliging clinicians to report clinical outcomes, complications, and follow-up care requirements to the Health Service Executive or her Department in respect of procedures funded under the treatment abroad scheme; and if not, whether she will introduce such a requirement. [28101/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra785. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive maintains any centralised or national system for the monitoring, recording, or analysis of clinical outcomes, complication rates, or long-term healthcare impacts for patients who receive procedures funded under the treatment abroad scheme; and if not, the reason for the absence of such a system. [28102/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra786. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms n place at a national level to evaluate patient safety, treatment effectiveness, and long-term health outcomes in respect of procedures funded under the treatment abroad scheme, in the absence of a centralised outcomes monitoring system. [28103/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra789. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the body or unit within her Department or the Health Service Executive holds responsibility at a national level for oversight of clinical outcomes, complication reporting, and long-term follow-up in respect of procedures funded under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. [28106/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 774, 784, 785, 786 and 789 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in Regulation (EC) No. 987/2009. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, patients may apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public health care outside the state through the issue of form S2 (IE). The application requires the patient's referring hospital consultant based in Ireland, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease. Once a patient is discharged from a specific episode of care abroad, their care immediately reverts to their Irish based consultant. As detailed clinical arrangements within the HSE following treatment abroad are a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
