Ireland Health Information
| European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland: If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality. If you need a doctor or a dentist, contact the local Health Board, which will arrange for you to see a public health service doctor or dentist. Make it clear to the practitioner that you wish to be treated under the EU's social security arrangements. You may be asked to complete a simple statement. Emergency treatment and medicines are free if you go to a General Medical Services (GMS) doctor and the prescription is on GMS paper. If you require hospital treatment, a doctor will arrange for you to be admitted to a health service hospital, where treatment in public wards is normally free. If you can't contact a doctor before admission, explain to the hospital authorities that you wish to be treated under the EU arrangements. If you need emergency medication on discharge from a public hospital, you must go to a Health Board doctor for the prescription, otherwise you may have to pay a charge. More information can be obtained from www.irlgov.ie/healthboards.htm. | |||||||||||||||
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If you're planning a trip to Ireland, don't forget to order your travel insurance now.