Over 700,000 waiting for treatment while HSE sees drop to inquiries for cross border directive

Over the five years to 2023, the number of Irish patients receiving reimbursements for medical procedures under the scheme was down 55%.

More than 700,000 people are waiting for hospital treatments including surgery, orthopaedics, and gynaecology.

At the same time, HSE figures show there has been an 80% drop in the number of patients on waiting lists inquiring about the option of availing of treatment abroad under the Cross Border Healthcare Directive since 2018 — with just 662 people making enquiries last year.