08/09/2025
Nesbitt Confirms Second Phase Of £10m Waiting List Scheme
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed the launch of the second phase of the Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, allowing Northern Ireland patients to claim back the cost of treatment in the European Union.
The scheme, which has a total funding of £10 million, was initially launched in June to allow patients on hospital waiting lists for two years or more to receive treatment in the Republic of Ireland.
Under the new phase, which begins on Monday, 15 September, the qualifying period has been reduced to just one year, and patients can now seek approved procedures across the EU.
Minister Nesbitt said he was committed to "making a real difference" to patients' lives and delivering on his earlier promise to expand the scheme.
"By reducing the qualifying period from two years to one year, and by widening access to the EU, I am giving more patients more options to get the treatment they need," he said.
Patients must be a resident of Northern Ireland and have been on an official Health and Social Care (HSC) waiting list for at least one year. Prior approval is required before travelling, and patients will be reimbursed up to the equivalent HSC cost.
The Department of Health has created an online hub with a full guide to the application process, and a dedicated helpline is available on 028 9536 8303 from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
The scheme, which has a total funding of £10 million, was initially launched in June to allow patients on hospital waiting lists for two years or more to receive treatment in the Republic of Ireland.
Under the new phase, which begins on Monday, 15 September, the qualifying period has been reduced to just one year, and patients can now seek approved procedures across the EU.
"By reducing the qualifying period from two years to one year, and by widening access to the EU, I am giving more patients more options to get the treatment they need," he said.
Patients must be a resident of Northern Ireland and have been on an official Health and Social Care (HSC) waiting list for at least one year. Prior approval is required before travelling, and patients will be reimbursed up to the equivalent HSC cost.
The Department of Health has created an online hub with a full guide to the application process, and a dedicated helpline is available on 028 9536 8303 from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Latest Northern Ireland News
08 September 2025
Power NI To Raise Electricity Tariff By 4%
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Power NI To Raise Electricity Tariff By 4%
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08 September 2025
Nesbitt Confirms Second Phase Of £10m Waiting List Scheme
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed the launch of the second phase of the Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, allowing Northern Ireland patients to claim back the cost of treatment in the European Union.
Nesbitt Confirms Second Phase Of £10m Waiting List Scheme
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08 September 2025
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08 September 2025
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08 September 2025
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08 September 2025
Fermanagh Police Highlight Danger Of Vandalised Rescue Equipment
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08 September 2025
Translink And Minister Celebrate Grand Central Station's First Year
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Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Found Dead In Mountnorris
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Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Found Dead In Mountnorris
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Boost Your Content with AI: How Video Upscalers and Text-to-Speech Tools Are Changing the Game
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Other News In Brief
Greens Criticise Nesbitt's Gender Identity Services Review Green Party representative Ash Jones has described Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s decision to appoint Hilary Cass to review Gender Identity Services in Northern Ireland as a "betrayal.
Other News In Brief
Greens Criticise Nesbitt's Gender Identity Services Review Green Party representative Ash Jones has described Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s decision to appoint Hilary Cass to review Gender Identity Services in Northern Ireland as a "betrayal.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.