Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has called upon the Minister for Health to step up resources to ensure patients are not left waiting for long periods of time on reimbursement via the Cross Border Directive (CBD) office.
Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Patients are unduly punished by the current scheme as they wait weeks upon weeks for reimbursement from the CBD programme.
“It is common knowledge there has been an increase in those availing of the scheme. The CBD provides people who are languishing on waiting lists with an alternative option by giving them the opportunity to avail of health services in another European country. It has proven to be a successful scheme. Many from the border region will travel north to avail of medical treatments and surgeries.
“I understand the CBD team themselves have contacted the Department of Health seeking extra resources.
“The Minister should provide additional resources within his Department to the CBD team to ensure patients are not left waiting long periods of time for reimbursement,” concluded Deputy Smith.
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