Call or Contact Our Irish Team

Pick up the phone and call our Irish liaison officer Sarah Hyde on 087 002 9686, or fill in the contact form on our website. Sarah is based in Ireland and understands exactly what you’re going through. There is no commitment, no fee, and no paperwork at this stage — just a friendly conversation about your situation.

We will ask you a few simple questions: What joint is causing you problems? How long have you been waiting? Have you seen a GP or specialist in Ireland? Don’t worry if you haven’t done everything yet — we can help guide you from any starting point.

Visit Your GP for a Referral Letter

You will need a short letter from your GP confirming that you need hip or knee replacement surgery and that you are a public patient. This is a simple, routine letter — not a complex form. We provide your GP with a template and briefing sheet so they know exactly what to write. Many GPs are already familiar with the Cross Border Directive and are happy to help.

The letter must confirm: your name, your diagnosis (e.g. osteoarthritis of the hip/knee), that surgery is recommended, and that you are entitled to public healthcare in Ireland. Sarah can contact your GP directly if they need guidance.

Pre-Surgery Assessment (Remotely or in Ireland)

Our surgeon in Amsterdam will review your referral, any available X-rays or scans, and medical history to confirm you are a suitable candidate for surgery. In most cases, this can be done remotely from Ireland — you do not need to travel to Amsterdam for a consultation first.

If additional tests are needed (such as an up-to-date X-ray, ECG, or blood tests), your GP can arrange these locally in Ireland. We co-ordinate with your GP to make this as quick and straightforward as possible.

We Handle the HSE Paperwork

The Cross Border Directive involves a reimbursement application to the HSE. We do this for you. Our team prepares all the required documentation: the pro-forma invoice, your referral letter, proof of eligibility, and all supporting documents. You simply sign where needed.

The HSE typically reimburses costs within 6 to 8 weeks of receiving your completed application. We have handled hundreds of these claims and know exactly what the HSE requires to process them without delay.

Financing: Your Credit Union Can Help

Because the CBD is a reimbursement scheme, you pay the hospital upfront and are refunded by the HSE afterwards. If you need help financing this in the short term, your local Credit Union is your best option. Credit Unions across Ireland are very familiar with the Cross Border Directive and routinely provide short-term loans for exactly this purpose.

Most patients find that the HSE refund covers the full cost of surgery. Our team will give you a clear cost breakdown in advance so you know exactly what to expect — with no hidden charges or surprises.

Travel to Amsterdam — We Arrange Everything

We arrange your hospital appointment, your hotel, and your airport transfers. You book your own flights (Dublin, Cork, Shannon, or Belfast to Amsterdam Schiphol — typically under 2 hours), and we meet you at the airport. Our coordinator Helen Faulkner will be there to welcome you and take care of everything from that point on.

We recommend bringing a family member or friend. We arrange hotel accommodation for them too. Amsterdam Schiphol is one of Europe’s best-connected airports, with multiple daily direct flights from all major Irish airports.

Surgery Day — World-Class Care in Amsterdam

Your surgery is performed by our specialist orthopaedic surgeon in our state-of-the-art Amsterdam hospital. The evening before your surgery, your surgeon will visit you in person to walk you through the procedure, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident and comfortable.

For hip replacement, we use the minimally invasive anterior approach — less muscle damage, less pain, faster recovery. For knee replacement, we offer both total and unicompartmental (partial) options depending on your diagnosis. Most surgeries last 1 to 2 hours.

Recovery Hotel & Physiotherapy in Amsterdam

After surgery, you recover at the Kim Zorghotel — a dedicated recovery hotel in a beautiful setting near Amsterdam. This is not a standard hotel: it is a medically supervised recovery facility with on-site nursing care, daily physiotherapy, and healthy meals included. Your physiotherapist will have you up and moving within 24 hours of surgery.

Most patients stay 3 to 4 nights at the recovery hotel before flying home. You will leave Amsterdam walking independently — often using just a walking aid — and with a full physiotherapy programme to follow at home.

Home to Ireland — Continued Support

Once you are home, you remain in contact with our surgeon and team. Our chief orthopaedic surgeon Michiel van Trommel provides ongoing remote follow-up — most patients find this level of post-operative contact far exceeds anything they have experienced from the Irish health system. You will receive a home exercise programme, physiotherapy guidance, and direct access to your surgeon for any questions.

Sarah Hyde in Ireland is also available to help with your HSE reimbursement claim and any follow-up needs. We don’t disappear after you fly home.

HSE Reimburses Your Costs — Within 6 to 8 Weeks

We submit your completed HSE reimbursement file on your behalf. The HSE typically processes and pays reimbursements within 6 to 8 weeks. The reimbursement covers your surgery, your consultation, and your physiotherapy costs. Travel and accommodation are not covered by the HSE, but are a small fraction of the total cost.

The vast majority of our patients find that the HSE refund covers the full cost of their surgery. We will always tell you in advance if there is likely to be any shortfall.

Ready to Get Started?

The entire process from first call to surgery date typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Don’t spend another year in pain. Call our Irish team today and we’ll tell you exactly what your next step is.

📞 Call Sarah Hyde (Ireland): 087 002 9686
📞 Call our clinic: +31 20 209 0332
📧 Contact us online