Flight to Spain helps Limerick woman Ciara skip waiting list for surgery

ONE day, roughly two years ago, Ciara Shanahan from Croagh was enjoying a walk in the nearby Curraghchase forest when she suddenly felt extreme pain in her knee, and was left limping and temporarily unable to walk properly.

After visiting her local GP, Ciara was sent for an MRI scan and was eventually diagnosed with a meniscus tear. She was then put on a seemingly endless waiting list to be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon.

A meniscus tear is when a tearing of the cartilage occurs on the inside of the knee. The menisci, which are c-shaped cartilage pads that essentially act as shock absorbers to the upper and lower leg, are somewhat taken for granted and are the site of one of the most common, serious knee injuries.

Despite this, Ciara had booked to backpack in South America, and did not let her knee pain get in the way.

Upon returning home, the pain was at an unbearable level and she could not wait any longer for treatment. While looking for an alternative to the waiting list, Ciara discovered Healthcare Abroad and the EU Cross Border Directive through newspaper articles and word of mouth. She contacted the organisation. She was desperate for a solution.

“I made a phone call and straight away I was given a date to be seen by a consultant. I was shocked I didn’t have to wait”.

With medical waiting lists growing longer and longer in Ireland, the EU Cross Border Directive has been one of the main health news items of late.

In layman’s terms, the EU Cross Border Directive gives any EU resident the right to medical treatment in any European Economic Area and to be treated on the same basis as they would in their home state as long as the participant meets the criteria and is referred by their GP.

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Upon arrival at your destination, Healthcare Abroad liaises with the host hospital, to provide you with your consultation, surgery, and recovery in an efficient and supportive manner.

Healthcare Abroad works with private hospitals in order to not put stress on the public health system of the country. Medical fees are reimbursed to qualifying participants by the HSE within 16 weeks upon return to the state. This leaves only flights, accommodation and the prescription medicine fees for the patient to pay.

A partnership between the credit union and Healthcare Abroad allows for patients to take out a temporary loan for the procedure too without touching their personal savings.

Ciara was beyond impressed with her experience with Healthcare Abroad in Dénia. “I was shocked at how quick everything was sorted out,” she said.

Arriving on March 12, she was driven by an allocated driver to her hotel where she and her mother stayed. The drivers also took Ciara to her consultations, the chemist and the hospital.

The following day she went to the hospital for preoperative tests. The surgeon explained exactly what would be done and answered Ciara’s questions.

During some evenings Ciara was able to take some time to enjoy the beautiful coastline and take in some sun with her mother, who accompanied her on the trip. The hotel which she booked into, the Daniya Dénia, offers a discounted price for family members of patients of the hospital.

After undergoing her surgery, Ciara spent two days recovering, eventually beginning a physiotherapy programme. Surprising herself, she was able to use crutches to walk within two days after surgery.

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She was astounded by the level of service at the hospital. “The hospital stay was lovely, I had a private bedroom with wonderful views of the nearby mountains. It was so nice I didn’t want to leave,” said Ciara.

Now home and well on the road to recovery, Ciara is beyond pleased with how her surgery went and is delighted with her experience with Healthcare Abroad. “I really cannot recommend it enough. I want as many people to know the exceptional care and service I received while being a patient at HCB and Healthcare Abroad”.

Ciara is currently continuing with physiotherapy and is elated to be on the way to getting her former pain-free life back.