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Newry and Armagh MLA and former chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Liz Kimmins has welcomed a commitment from the Health Minister to work towards reinstating the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.
Speaking after Sinn Féin MLAs raised the issue with the minister during Question Time in the Assembly, the Liz Kimmins said: “I welcome the minister’s commitment to reintroducing the cross-border healthcare directive.
“To support our health service, we must explore all available options to ensure patients receive the care they need. This scheme is one that we should look to build upon.
“The minister indicated his intention to reintroduce the directive with urgency and confirmed that he would be meeting with officials to discuss an options paper, which he plans to share with the Health Committee.”
The MLA continued: “This scheme previously enabled many patients on long waiting lists to access vital procedures, particularly knee and hip operations, which not only reduced waiting times but significantly improved quality of life for those individuals.
“Given the proven success of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, I am pleased that the minister is taking steps to reinstate it.”
