Portlaoise hospital worker gets life-changing hospital in Spain
A HSE hospital worker from Laois has spoken of her ‘incredible’ experience after flying to Spain for a free hip-replacement operation to beat the HSE waiting lists at home.
Yvonne Jacob, (49), used the EU Cross Border Directive and the organisation Healthcare Abroad to access the surgery at a top private hospital in the upmarket seaside city resort of Dénia, an hour north of Alicante.
The Portlaoise woman, works as a multi-task attendant at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Yvonne says the constant standing, walking and pushing of beds and wheelchairs at the hospital, took its toll on her own health along with everyday wear and tear and she called the agency Healthcare Abroad for help.
“I do a lot of 12 hour shifts and it’s hard going, especially on the hard floors” said Yvonne.
She described the impact on her health.
“I was in excruciating pain. Relying on painkillers to get my through my days," she said.
Yvonne said she had heard about ‘cross-border’ healthcare but didn’t think of it until her own health deteriorated. ?She was given the option of waiting on the HSE waiting list at home and continue to take painkillers and physio.
“I had heard of a few people that went to Belfast but I just felt it’s a long trip home after a major operation. The big attraction for me to go to Spain was the 10 physio sessions after the surgery as well,” she said.
“Healthcare Abroad couldn’t be more helpful,” said Yvonne. "I was treated like a VIP. We were collected at the airport in Alicante – and booked into a fabulous 4-star hotel.
“To be honest I really can’t begin to find the words to describe how I was treated. The Healthcare Abroad team were exceptional. The staff at the hospital – the nurses, the consultant Dr Jordy, the physio team – were absolutely phenomenal. And the team at our hotel, the Daniya Denia, couldn’t do enough for you.
“I want to give a special mention to everyone in the physio department at the HCB Hospital in Denia. They were incredible. The care they gave me was so professional and it really enhanced my recovery.
“I was ferried back and forward to the hospital for all appointments; and I was given 10 intensive physio sessions after surgery and I was up and about again in no time at all. Better still, Healthcare Abroad did all the paperwork for me.
“I would advise anyone living with the pain I suffered not to wait another day," she said.
A Healthcare Abroad spokesperson said:
“We were delighted to help Yvonne access surgery in Spain under the EU Cross Border Directive. The full costs of his surgery and rehab will be reimbursed by the HSE around 16 weeks after Yvonne gets home. We want to wish Yvonne all the best for the future,” she said.
Healthcare Abroad says it completes all paperwork to ensure the HSE refund. It says patients do have to pay for the costs of flights and the hotel (€62 per room B&B for one and €70 for 2) as the HSE does not refund travel costs.
The company adds that under EU – and therefore Irish – law, every citizen in the EU is entitled to travel to any other EU country for healthcare with the home nation paying all or most of the costs.