The reality of the HSE’s ESAIS scheme.

One year ago, I was blue-lighted by ambulance to the Supra Regional Gynaecology Clinic in Cork.

One year later, I am still waiting for the specialist care I need.

The HSE reimbursed me €94 towards my trip to London.

That covered part of my flight only.

It did not cover:

Checked baggage
Seat allocation
Accommodation
Train travel from Stansted to London (£42 return)
Tube fares
Food
Any travel costs within the UK
My return flight from Kerry to London cost €130, and the total cost of the two-day trip was approximately €500.

I am currently unwaged because of delays in accessing healthcare and rely on Disability Allowance. The only reason I was able to attend this appointment was because people supported my crowdfunding campaign.

This is the reality of ESAIS.

What is particularly difficult to understand is that the MRI protocols used in two Irish hospitals were, in my experience, more comprehensive than the one used in London. My follow-up scan in Ireland this week identified endometriosis that was not seen on the London MRI.

I was ultimately told that my case was too complex for the London service.

So what now?

ESAIS was introduced as an interim measure to improve access to specialist care abroad, but my experience has highlighted significant practical and financial barriers that patients continue to face. 

Patients should not have to find hundreds of euro upfront, organise international travel while living with severe pain, and then return home without the treatment they were seeking.

We need more than an interim scheme.

We need:
• Fully funded travel abroad, including accommodation and essential travel costs.
• Proper multidisciplinary specialist centres in Ireland.
• Consistent imaging protocols.
• Trauma-informed care.
• Accountability for the women who have been failed by this system.
• A National Inquiry into Endometriosis Care in Ireland.

Petition update

Our campaign continues to call for a National Inquiry into Endometriosis Care, fully resourced specialist centres, the removal of financial barriers to treatment abroad, and meaningful reform of women’s healthcare in Ireland. 

Every signature helps keep this issue on the national agenda.

Please support by:

💛 Signing the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/issue-an-expert-irish-endometriosis-framework-let-us-have-a-national-inquiry

💛 Supporting our advocacy and awareness work:
https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/Cneasu

💛 Sharing this post so more people understand the reality patients are facing.

No patient should have to crowdfund to access healthcare.

No patient should spend a year fighting for treatment while living in chronic pain.

We deserve better.