Authors' recommendations: Under existing financing arrangements, a national DBS service would cost the HSE more per patient than the current service funded through the TAS. The cost difference will be significantly impacted by any changes to the relative contribution by private health insurance companies to the cost of DBS care for patients with private health insurance and could potentially render a national programme more affordable than in the base case analysis. Although under current arrangements a national DBS service would cost more, it may improve access to beneficial care for otherwise eligible DBS patients unable to travel overseas for care and would reduce the logistical and financial burden on patients. However, challenges would exist to ensure that any new service could provide timely access to care in accordance with appropriate quality standards, particularly in light of the existing capacity constraints within the publicly-funded neurological and neurosurgical services.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.hiqa.ie/publications/health-technology-assessment-national-deep-brain-stimulation-service-ireland

URL for additional information: http://www.hiqa.ie/healthcare/health-technology-assessment/assessments/deep-brain-stimulation

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Ireland

Organisation Name: Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

Contact Address: Health Information and Quality Authority, George's Court, George's Lane,Smithfield, Dublin 7. PH : + 353 (01) 814 7464

Contact Name: info@hiqa.ie

Contact Email: info@hiqa.ie

Copyright: Health Information and Quality Authority