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The announcement from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that the cross-border healthcare scheme is to be reintroduced has been welcomed here by local MLA Justin McNulty who has said it's a “vital opportunity” to strengthen health services in the region.
Mr McNulty is urging the Department of Health to ensure that Daisy Hill Hospital is positioned as a key hub within the scheme.
The cross-border healthcare initiative, which allows patients to access treatment in the Republic of Ireland and have it reimbursed by the NHS, was previously suspended post-Brexit. Its reintroduction will mark a significant step in reducing waiting lists and improving patient outcomes in border areas.
Speaking following the announcement, Mr McNulty said: “This will be a welcome and long-overdue move that has the potential to transform healthcare access for people living across the North.
“Daisy Hill is uniquely placed to serve as a central pillar of the cross-border scheme. Its strategic location, experienced staff, and existing relationships with healthcare providers in the South make it an ideal candidate to facilitate patients accessing treatment and care on a cross-border basis.
I am calling on the Health Minister to not only restore the scheme but to integrate it fully with services at Daisy Hill. This hospital has been at the heart of healthcare in Newry and the surrounding areas for generations. It deserves to be strengthened, not sidelined.”
Mr McNulty also reiterated the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling the systemic pressures facing the health service, especially in light of ongoing staff shortages and long waiting times.
“This is a chance to reimagine how we deliver care in this part of Ireland. Patients should not be left waiting months or years for treatment when solutions exist just across the border. Let’s make Daisy Hill a flagship for what’s possible when we think beyond borders.”
