Belfast hospital says business from Republic is ‘exploding’
EU healthcare directive has led to tenfold rise in patients accessing treatment in the North; HSE reimbursal of cost of procedures encourages growing number to avoid waiting lists at home
The number of Irish patients travelling to Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast under the European Cross-Border Healthcare Directive has increased more than tenfold in 12 months.
Mark Regan, chief executive of Kingsbridge, said doctors at the hospital had provided 240 consultations and carried out 162 procedures on patients from the Republic this January alone.
In January 2016, Kingsbridge recorded “16 consultations and 14 procedures” on patients from the Republic.
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