All-Ireland free travel for older people

SDLP Fermanagh–South Tyrone Assembly member Tommy Gallagher has welcomed the introduction of free travel on public transport for senior citizens throughout the island of Ireland.

As of yesterday, Tuesday, 2nd April, older people in Fermanagh can benefit from free travel on public transport throughout the whole island of Ireland.

Mr Gallagher said the SDLP had campaigned for full free travel for many years.

"We are delighted that it has at last been implemented. While free cross-border travel was introduced as far back as 1958, sheer bureaucracy meant a person travelling from the north to Dublin could not continue their journey elsewhere in the south, and the same applied in the other direction.

"This is particularly good news for people living in this constituency who regularly use public transport for cross-border travel," he went on. "They will now be able to have free travel anywhere in Ireland."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Regional Development explained that the new scheme increased the benefits of carrying a valid senior Smartpass and represented a real advance in the travel opportunities for older people.

"All senior citizens aged 65 and over should apply for a Senior SmartPass, if they don't already have one," he suggested, "and existing SmartPass holders should check that their pass is still valid."

The Department has set up a helpline on 0845 600 0049 for those that need further information."

All senior citizens aged 65 and over, who hold a valid Senior SmartPass, are now eligible to free travel on participating public transport services throughout the Republic of Ireland. Eligible senior citizens aged 66 and over from the Republic of Ireland are also able to travel for free within Northern Ireland.

Free travel is available on most services operated by the following companies within the Republic of Ireland, including Dublin Bus (except Nitelink and special airport buses), Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, DART, and LUAS.

Source: http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/288870312370904.php

Medical tourism / health tourism

Medical tourism is the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care. The term was initially coined by travel agencies and the media as a catchall phrase to describe a rapidly growing industry where people travel to other countries to obtain medical care while at the same time touring, vacationing and enjoying the attractions of the countries which they are visiting.

A combination of many factors has led to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism: the high cost of healthcare in industrialized nations, the ease and affordability of international travel, and the improvement of technology and standards of care in many countries of the world.

A large draw to medical tourism is the convenience in comparison to that of other countries. Some countries that operate from a public health-care system are so taxed that it can take a considerable amount of time, sometimes even years, to get needed medical care. The time spent waiting for a procedure, such as a hip replacement, can be a year or more in Britain and Canada

Medical tourists are generally residents of the industrialized nations of the world. The countries to which they travel are typically less developed and have a lower cost of medical care. This is, in some cases, due to favorable currency exchange ratios. Currently, many of the procedures accessed are considered "elective procedures," such as cosmetic surgery. Because elective procedures are rarely covered through health insurance plans, there may be greater incentive to find such care at lower costs.

Most touted destinations in the world for medical tourists: India, Singapore and Thailand

Source: rusmedtour.com & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism