The women had life-changing surgeries in Northern Ireland

Nora Burke (73) and Martina O’Riordan (75) from Macroom

Two Cork women say they’ve got their freedom back after travelling to Belfast for hip and knee surgery – and are now encouraging others to explore treatment options available just across the border.

Nora Burke (73) and Martina O’Riordan (75), lifelong friends from Macroom, are the face of a new campaign to inform patients how to access treatment in Northern Ireland.

The Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group is hosting free public info events across Cork next week. Under a HSE and Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS), patients can be reimbursed after paying for treatment.

Nora and Martina, who have been friends since they were teenagers, say years of pain and limited mobility pushed them to look beyond Ireland. They were both on long waiting lists for surgery – Nora had spent months on crutches due to severe arthritis, while Martina’s knee pain was severely affecting her day-to-day life and independence.

They decided to travel to Belfast together for operations. Nora explained: “When I said I was going to Belfast, Martina said, ‘What about my knee?,’ and we decided to go together.”

Both women say they ultimately chose Northern Ireland as it was so close to home, rather than going to another European city. Nora said: “I go abroad for holidays, not surgery. I wanted to be somewhere close, where I felt safe and understood.”

Approximately 40% of patients now travel from Ireland for treatment at Kingsbridge, with over 800 Irish patients treated every month.

After attending an information event and meeting consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Laurence Cusick, the friends say everything moved quickly – from consultation to operation in a matter of weeks. In contrast, they believe they could have waited years within the public system.

“We went in together and asked to be operated on the same day,” Nora said. “And it was arranged. That gave us huge reassurance.”

Martina described the recovery as “life-changing”, saying she quickly regained mobility and confidence. She said: “The difference was unbelievable. I was walking without pain within weeks,” she said. “We got our freedom back.”

“It didn’t feel like a hospital, it felt more like a hotel,” Martina added “They even brought Nora to my room after surgery so we could have tea together. Those little things meant everything.”

Now fully recovered, Nora and Martina are urging others to consider their options and say it could be a great option for many patients. “Just go,” Nora said. “It’s the best decision we ever made.”

Cork information events:

There are upcoming events by Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group. To register, send them an email here.

Tuesday May 26th:

Boston Bar, Bantry (12pm – 2pm)Michael Collins TD Office, Skibbereen (3pm – 5pm)

Wednesday May 27th:

Michael Collins TD Office, Bandon (9:30am – 10:30am)Castle Hotel, Macroom (11:30am – 1pm)Blarney Castle Hotel (2pm – 4pm)

A spokesperson said there is “huge demand” for information events about cross-border healthcare options.

How it works:Through the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS), patients living in the Republic of Ireland can access approved treatments in Northern Ireland.Many procedures qualify for 100% reimbursement from the HSEMany patients can avoid long waiting lists and be treated within weeksPatients do not need to be on a waiting list to apply – access begins with a referral from a GP or consultant.

Research cited by the group suggests many Cork residents are still unaware of the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, which allows eligible patients to receive treatment in Northern Ireland and be reimbursed by the HSE.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group is the largest private healthcare provider in Northern Ireland, treating over 250,000 patients each year and carrying out more than 50,000 procedures.