Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed that Northern Ireland's new £10 million Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence on 02 June, 2025.

The scheme aims to address the significant challenges posed by long hospital waiting lists by allowing eligible patients to reclaim costs for treatments received outside Northern Ireland. Initially, Phase One of the scheme, launching on Monday 02 June, will cover procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland for patients who are ordinarily resident in NI and have been waiting two years or more for hospital treatment on a HSC waiting list. Minister Nesbitt indicated that, subject to available funding, the Department of Health is considering extending the scheme later this year to include procedures undertaken in other European Union countries in a subsequent Phase Two.

Patients must obtain prior approval from the Department before proceeding with treatment, as retrospective applications will not be accepted. To assist patients, a dedicated online information hub will provide comprehensive guidance, including eligibility criteria, FAQs, and access to the application form. A helpline will also be available Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, with further details on how to access these resources to be released soon. Nesbitt emphasized that this scheme is part of a broader package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and ensure patients receive necessary care more quickly.