Irish patients will benefit from European Court Decision
Irish patients look likely to benefit from a European Court decision, the Green Party said today.
Green Party Chairman and Health Spokesperson John Gormley TD said that, “The European Court of Justice decision today in relation to a British patient Yvonne Watts could have significant implications for the 6500 patients who will wait six months or more for in-patient surgical treatment.
“The inequality in our health system means that public patients in Ireland have much longer waiting times than private patients and it is they, hopefully, who will benefit from the ECJ decision.
“Following this decision, I believe it is important that those patients who find themselves in a similar situation to Yvonne Watts fill out an E112 form seeking to have their treatment carried out in another member state. Of course there are other hurdles to clear before treatment can take place but we must see today’s decision as a step in the right direction. It is also a wake up call for Mary Harney who has not dealt properly with either the waiting list or the A& E crisis,” concluded Deputy Gormley.