Patient FAQs

All procedures must be paid for either in advance or on the day of your appointment

Yes. The review charge varies by consultant. The cost information will be provided in advance of any consultation.

EU legislation means that you have the right to receive medical treatment in another EU member state and skip the HSE waiting list. The HSE will pay the bill.

Our dedicated One2One team in Belfast will be there every step of the way for Cross-Border patients and will assist in the completion of HSE forms and explain the process in full.

CBD treatment is only available to Irish residents who qualify for public health care. 

Having private health insurance does not exclude you from CBD. But you cannot use your private health insurance to access your referral for healthcare abroad.

Only a GP or a consultant you are attending in a public capacity can refer you for CBD treatment.

You must travel abroad. You cannot use telemedicine, for example an outpatient consultation abroad by Skype or video, at any time during the CBD process.

You do NOT need to be on a waiting list to become eligible for this scheme, it is open to any citizen.

You can get healthcare in other EU Countries if you qualify for that healthcare as a public patient in Ireland.

Your GP or consultant can tell you if the healthcare you want to get abroad is publicly available in Ireland and if you qualify for it.

There is no list of specific healthcare you can get abroad under CBD.

Generally, if the healthcare is available publicly in Ireland, you can be referred for the same healthcare abroad. But there is some specific healthcare that are not covered by the scheme.

• organ transplants
• any long-term care that helps people do everyday tasks such as nursing home care
• vaccination against infectious diseases
• clinical trials
• drug therapies that aren't currently provided publicly in Ireland

No. The cross-border health scheme is open to any person that would be entitled to treatment in an Irish hospital.

Patients will be reimbursed the same amount as they would receive in their own country for the same type of healthcare. If the treatment abroad is cheaper than in the home country, the reimbursement will reflect the real price of the treatment.

Our dedicated Cross-Border Healthcare Team will be available to advise on what treatments are covered, treatment costs and the reimbursement amount. They will guide you through the simple steps involved to start the process to get you treated quickly and conveniently at our Belfast hospital and will liaise with the HSE on your behalf.
Phone 048 9068 8858 today to speak to our One2One Patient Advisor, at Belfast’s Kingsbridge Private Hospital, who will talk you through what’s involved to get you off the waiting list and get your treatment started. Alternatively, email crossborder@kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com for more information or to arrange a call-back.

Depending on your treatment you will be advised on the after-care program.

Although going abroad for medical treatment is your choice and decision, it is a good idea to inform you G.P. of your proposed treatment.  Your G.P. may be a point of contact with the after-care in which you receive when you return home.

The cost of each procedure will vary.  You will need to pay for your treatment directly to the hospital or clinic.  On arrival home, send in your invoice to the HSE for reimbursement. Your travel expenses and/or accommodation costs are not covered under the directive.
Medical procedures always have a risk of complications; in the same way you choose a trusted healthcare provider in your home country, there are several things you can do before travelling abroad for healthcare.  Asking a family member or friend to travel with you can also prove to be a valuable support. Most importantly, you should:

• Consult with a doctor at home and find out whether you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.

• Research the procedure so you understand how to prepare and what to expect after treatment.

• Do a quality check of the hospital and doctor. What accreditation do they have? How often has the doctor performed this procedure? What will happen in case of a complication?

• If possible speak to patients who have visited that clinic and read patient reviews.

To get a refund of the costs that you pay for your treatment, you and our Cross Border Healthcare Team will complete the HSE Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Pro-Forma Invoice (pdf) and submit it with the invoice and receipt from Kingsbridge Private Hospital.
The refund will only be made to the patient (or to the parents of a child patient).
Our dedicated Cross-Border Healthcare Team will assist with the refund process and liaise with the HSE to ensure it is processed quickly and efficiently.
Phone 048 9068 8858 today to speak to our One2One Patient Advisor, at Belfast’s Kingsbridge Private Hospital, who will talk you through what’s involved to get you off the waiting list and get your treatment started. Alternatively, email crossborder@kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com for more information or to arrange a callback.
 

Our Cross Border Healthcare Team will be able to advise on any follow-up care that might be required. Generally speaking, the doctor will advise you on how long you should stay in the hospital, how long you should wait before returning home, and discuss your follow-up care options.

This depends on the type of procedure you’ve had, your general condition, and how long your journey home will take. However, some procedures have a longer follow-up time, such as surgeries of the eyes, ears, abdomen, and vascular system. It is most important to check with your consultant before making travel arrangements.

At the current time cardiac surgery, cancer treatments and paediatric surgery for under 14s is not available at Kingsbridge Private Hospital, Belfast

• No waiting lists, quick response and immediate action.
• Excellent medical care in a reputable hospital with leading surgeons and the latest technology.