Specialist Spine Surgery Only Available in Mater Private - Will HSE Pay?

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Hi Guys and Gals,

Looking for some information. I`ve had a number of previous spinal surgeries, the most recent of which was a Spinal Fusion Surgery having had rods and screws placed in my lower spine to stabilize it.

Unfortunately, I was recently diagnosed with a fracture of my spinal screws and these now need to be removed and an artificial disc implant placed as an alternative. This surgery needs to be done by accessing my spine through my abdomen because of the previous damage to the rear of my spine. As the surgery is a complex surgery, there is only one consultant in Ireland that can carry out this operation which is Mr. Ashley Poynton in The Mater Private Dublin.

Unfortunately my private health insurance does not cover The Mater Private Dublin and there is no options to have this done in the public system. As these are the circumstances, I am wondering are the HSE obliged to pay for my care to be carried out in The Mater Private considering this is essential treatment that is required and it is not available through of the public system?

And if so, where or who or what department within the HSE would I address this request / query to?

Kind Regards

ozzie21

Maybe your health insurance will cover you for the Mater Private Cork as Mr Poynton also works from there