Health Minister has confirmed that the new
Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence on 2 June 2025.
It will offer eligible patients the opportunity to reclaim costs
for treatments received outside Northern Ireland.
Minister Nesbitt said: “This £10million investment is an
important step in addressing the serious challenges posed by long
hospital waiting lists.
“As I outlined to the Assembly, this Scheme is part of a
much wider package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and deliver
better outcomes for patients. It gives those who have waited two
years or more the opportunity to seek treatment privately with
the reassurance that costs will be reimbursed up to the HSC
equivalent rate.
“I will continue to bring forward further measures to
ensure patients across Northern Ireland get the care they need
more quickly.”
The Scheme will be available to patients who are ordinarily
resident in Northern Ireland and have been waiting two years or
more for hospital treatment on a HSC waiting list. It will cover
procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland. Subject to
available funding, the Department of Health is considering
extending the Scheme later this year to include procedures
undertaken in other European Union countries.
Patients must receive prior approval from the Department before
proceeding with treatment. Retrospective applications will not be
accepted.
The Scheme will be implemented in phases:
- Phase One (from 2 June 2025): reimbursement for eligible
treatments in the Republic of Ireland.
- Phase Two (date to be confirmed): planned extension to cover
treatments across the European Union, subject to funding.
To support patients, a dedicated online information hub will
provide full guidance on how to apply, eligibility criteria,
frequently asked questions, and access to the application form.
A helpline to assist patients with enquiries and the application
process will operate Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Further
details of how to access the online hub and the telephone
helpline will be released in due course.