Derry MLA welcomes return of cross border healthcare scheme

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has welcomed a commitment from the Health Minister to provide clear results of his plan to tackle health waiting lists.

Part of that plan includes a new Waiting List Reduction Reimbursement Scheme for patients who have been on a waiting list for two years or more. They will now be able to seek treatment in the private sector in the Republic of Ireland from June 2025. The second phase will expand access across the EU giving patients a broader choice of healthcare providers.

The MLA for Foyle said: “Any investment in our health service is to be welcomed. Our waiting lists are among the worst in Europe, with some people spending years waiting for much-needed treatment with terrible consequences for their physical and mental health.

"In that context this £50m must be welcomed, but it will take a considerably larger sum and full health service transformation to tackle the underlying causes for these long waiting lists.

“The only way we can judge the success or failure of this plan is through results. We cannot continue to rely on outside health providers over whom we have no control and this plan also wishes to repurpose existing staff at a time when many are already at the point of burn out and trusts are being asked to make further savings.

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“The return of cross-border healthcare is welcome and a long-standing ask of the SDLP. The scheme is by no means a perfect one but it will be a vital interim solution which I hope will be of some relief for those suffering in pain as the on agonising waiting lists for treatment.

“The Executive must now look towards exploring further opportunities for cross border healthcare beyond elective care via the Shared Island Initiative.”