Private hospital says easing of lockdown has seen a surge in enquiries for hip, knee, gynae and cataract procedures
Kingsbridge Healthcare Group has seen cross border enquiries for private consultations and procedures soar with the easing of lockdown restrictions in Ireland.
Their hospital in Belfast has helped nearly 10,000 patients over the last three years get the treatment they needed under the EU Cross-Border Directive and as a result are hosting a series of free public Cross Border Healthcare Webinars, led by renowned Hospital Consultants.
Mark Regan, CEO at Kingsbridge Private Hospitals says that whilst the Group has been working with the NHS in NI to provide non-Covid services during the pandemic, they have already started to book patients in for cross border surgery recommencing on 1st July.
“Surgery can be scheduled for as early as next month. You do not have to be on a waiting list to qualify under the Cross Border Healthcare Directive (CBHD) but, with waiting lists growing, it offers a good solution for many people.
“There were no private procedures undertaken across the island since March, so with the easing of lockdown and travel becoming more feasible, people are keen to know how soon they will be able to get treatment,” he explained.
“Most of the enquiries relate to hip, knee & gynaecological procedures, as well as cataract treatment – things that can wait during a pandemic if they must but are immensely challenging to people who have to live with the consequences in the meantime.
“Over the last few months most people have grown to accept collaboration tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams as a means of communication, so we decided that we’d host a series of free information webinars on cross border healthcare. It is for the public, GP’s, community leaders or anyone interested in having surgery under the EU-Cross Border Directive,” said Mark.
The first in the series went live last Monday and focussed on joint replacements led by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dennis Molloy and was extremely successful.
The second webinar, on Monday 22nd June at 7pm, will address cataracts and will be led by Prof Colin Willoughby, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Surgeon specialising in cataracts, eye disease and glaucoma.
REGISTER HERE: https://kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com/Cross-Border-Patients/Public-Information-Webinars/Cataract-Webinar
For more information on how the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive works go to www.kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com
