An investigation by the Ombudsman into the administration by the Health Service Executive of schemes that fund necessary medical treatment in the EU/EEA or UK (Under Section 4 of the Ombudsman Act 1980, as amended) - April 2023   Cross Border Directive scheme (CBD) Recommendations in relation to Qualifying Conditions Finding 1: Provision of information for those in receipt of EU/EEA state pensions Some people who complained to my Office were refused reimbursement for the cost of their treatment abroad as they were in receipt of a State benefit from another EU/EEA country. It is clear that the legislation surrounding...

Before undergoing bariatric surgery, patients are typically required to follow a specific pre-operative diet to help reduce the size of the liver and minimize the risk of complications during surgery. The exact pre-operative diet plan may vary depending on the type of bariatric surgery that is planned, as well as the specific requirements of the patient's surgeon and medical team. However, some general guidelines for a pre-operative bariatric surgery diet may include: High protein intake: Consuming protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, and plant-based protein sources, can help maintain muscle mass and promote healing after surgery....

Private hospitals in Spain offer a range of benefits to patients. Some of the key benefits are: Shorter wait times: Private hospitals have shorter wait times than public hospitals, which means you can receive treatment faster. Access to top-quality healthcare: Private hospitals in Spain have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and employ highly qualified medical staff. This means you can expect to receive top-quality healthcare. Personalized care: Private hospitals have a higher staff-to-patient ratio than public hospitals, which means you can expect more personalized care and attention More comfortable facilities: Private hospitals offer more comfortable facilities than public hospitals, including private...

    Surgery in our new Spanish hospital is just some paperwork away!    Since the Cross Border Directive made the news in Ireland a couple of weeks back, here is Surgery now, we are replying to hundreds of emails asking a version of the same question?    Can I really get health care abroad through the Cross Border Directive?   The simple answer is YES! Here’s how it works for Surgery in Spain.   In 2011 the European Parliament in Brussels introduced the EU Directive on cross-border healthcare. This is far from “the brand new health care abroad scheme”...

Surgery Now Works For You. Spain is currently the best alternative to waiting years for your surgery that exists.   Almost all procedures are covered. Top-level medical care. Costs are usually FULLY covered by the Cross border directive, a European Union plan. Surgery can be done in days. (generally, we recommend a couple of weeks waiting time). We coordinate with the HSE, your GP, consultant in Spain etc. Additional services like holiday dialysis and physiotherapy are included too. Surgery now takes care of everything for you, both in Spain and in Ireland. Speak to the Spanish consultant in advance. Having...

You can be like Seamus and get yourself off the Irish medical waiting list. A client of ours allowed us to use the reply to this very common enquiry that we received just a few weeks ago. May 2022 Dear Surgery Now, My name is Seamus Txxxxy from Edenderry, Co Offaly. I’ve been in bad pain for almost 14 months now and my GP said that I have at least 18 months wait on the HSE list. My friend went to Spain for Surgery in December of 2021. (James HXXX). I understand the idea of the cross-border directive and he...

There has never been a better time to book your surgery in Spain. Here is our Spanish office we speak to hundreds of Irish clients every week.   These people are generally in pain and they require a solution. In Spain, we have the solution. Irish people can skip the long delays in the HSE, come to Spain and have surgery in Weeks rather than years.  Think about how fantastic that is.  You’d imagine once the patient’s GP likes the idea, the family are on board, they’ve spoken to Liam or another team member here and they agree that it makes...

    Many people feel helpless but now you can take practical, real help.    Under a scheme operated by the HSE, the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, patients in the Republic of Ireland waiting for procedures are fully entitled to avail of treatment in Spain. The standard of medical care in Spain is widely considered to be “five stars”. You can help get your friend or family member over to Spain and in front of a consultant in DAYS rather than YEARS!  How big is the problem of waiting lists in Ireland?  Professor Rónán Collins, a consultant physician in geriatric and...

Thousands of Irish clients are booking appointments to come to Spain to avail of the Cross Border Directive scheme.  Cataract surgery in Spain can be totally FREE to our Irish patients. Why wait around in Ireland for cataract surgery? We speak to Irish patients daily. Some of them have been waiting 2 years for surgery. We have a number of questions we ask them;  Can you see well enough to safely do your job? Can you safely drive?   Any problems reading or watching television? Do bright lights make it more difficult to see? Is it difficult to cook, shop, take...