New hospital in Valencia to treat Irish patients awaiting surgical procedures
A new hospital in Valencia will be able to treat Irish patients awaiting surgical procedures under the EU Cross Border Directive.
Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital will deliver thousands of life-changing procedures each year in partnership with Healthcare Abroad.
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The agreement marks the next step in expanding treatment options for Irish patients under the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive, through a major partnership between Healthcare Abroad, Ireland's leading cross-border healthcare provider, and the Vithas Hospital Group.
Under the EU Cross Border Directive, all Irish residents can receive treatment in EU hospitals with treatment costs, including consultation and physiotherapy, reimbursed by the HSE.
The Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility with 95 beds, including 64 private rooms, 8 operating theatres, and seven intensive care units and will deliver a wide range of planned orthopaedic surgeries, including hip and knee replacements, and is expected to treat up to 1,000 Irish patients annually.
The announcement comes as new research, commissioned by Healthcare Abroad reveals 1 in 5 patients (20 per cent) in the Irish public healthcare system have missed out on key life events, including weddings and family milestones, due to delays receiving treatment, and almost one third (30 per cent) have considered going abroad to access medical care.
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Speaking about the news, Paul Byrne, chief operations officer at Healthcare Abroad said: 'The opening of Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital marks a major step forward in improving timely access to surgical care for Irish patients who are facing long waiting times in Ireland.
'It allows them to access timely, high-quality treatment in a world-class facility, while still within the Irish public healthcare framework through the EU Cross Border Directive.'
Healthcare Abroad works with a network of 86 internationally accredited private hospitals across the EU, facilitating access for Irish patients to nearly all publicly available treatments in Ireland.
The company works directly with patients, doctors, and the HSE to ensure the process is transparent and well-supported from start to finish. To date, Healthcare Abroad has facilitated over 2,500 patients under the EU Cross Border Directive.
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'This is about giving Irish patients a real and supported alternative, without having to wait in pain,' Byrne added. 'With Healthcare Abroad guiding patients from GP referral to aftercare, the experience is as safe, familiar, and seamless as possible.'
While patients are responsible for covering their flights and accommodation, the cost of procedures, including consultations and physiotherapy, is reimbursed by the HSE, making this a cost-effective and accessible solution for thousands of patients across Ireland.
Credit Unions across Ireland have been highly supportive of the initiative, offering flexible financing options to cover procedure costs upfront until HSE reimbursement is granted.
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