Health Minister has confirmed the launch of
Phase Two of the £10 million Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme,
delivering on the commitment made when the scheme was first
introduced in June.
Patients in Northern Ireland who have been waiting one year or
more for hospital treatment will be able to reclaim the cost of
approved procedures carried out in the European Union, in
addition to the Republic of Ireland. Phase two of this scheme
will open on Monday 15 September 2025.
Minister Nesbitt said: “I am absolutely committed to
making a real difference to waiting lists and to the lives of
patients who have been waiting far too long for care. When I
launched this scheme in June, I promised it would be extended to
cover the wider EU, and today I am delivering on that
promise.
“By reducing the qualifying period from two years to one
year, and by widening access to the EU, I am giving more patients
more options to get the treatment they need. This scheme is about
listening to patients, being flexible, and taking practical
action to ease pressure on waiting lists. Above all, it is about
giving people quicker access to treatment, and the reassurance
that they will be reimbursed up to the equivalent Health and
Social Care cost.”
Overall funding of £10 million has been allocated to the scheme
to support the reduction in waiting lists and this is one of many
measures to meet the Executive's Programme for Government
commitment.
Scheme Highlights:
- Qualifying period reduced: eligibility after one year on a
hospital waiting list (previously two years).
- £10 million funding provided by the Department of Health.
- Phase One (launched 2 June 2025): Eligible treatments in the
Republic of Ireland.
- Phase Two (starts 15 September 2025): Extension to treatments
across the European Union.
- Eligibility:
- Must be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.
- Must have been on a Health and Social Care (HSC) hospital
waiting list for one year or more.
- Prior approval required: retrospective applications will not
be accepted.
- Reimbursement level: up to the equivalent cost of the
treatment in Northern Ireland (or HSC average cost, whichever is
lower).
- Exclusions: long-term social care, organ transplants, public
vaccination programmes, and clinical trials.
- Travel & accommodation: not reimbursed. Patients should
arrange travel insurance and a valid UK GHIC card before
travelling.
To support patients, an online information hub will provide full
guidance on how to apply, eligibility criteria, frequently asked
questions, and access to the application form. The hub can be
accessed on the following link: HSC Online: Waiting List
Reimbursement Scheme
A helpline, staffed by a dedicated team is available to assist
with patient enquiries or to provide support completing
applications. The helpline will be available Monday to Friday
10am-4pm on Tel: 028 9536 8303.
Notes to editors:
- The Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme was launched on 2 June
2025 with Phase One covering the Republic of Ireland. Phase Two,
beginning 15 September 2025, extends access to the wider European
Union.
- Patients must secure prior approval before treatment;
retrospective applications will not be reimbursed.
- Application processing takes 4–6 weeks; reimbursement usually
issued 6–8 weeks after proof of payment is received.
- Patients are responsible for arranging their own healthcare
provider in the Republic of Ireland or EU.
- Prescription costs linked to a treatment episode may be
reimbursed, but capped at the HSC equivalent rate.
- Travel and accommodation are not reimbursed.
