Patients on long Irish waiting lists are being offered treatment at a new hospital in Spain.

The new facility in Alicante aims to carry out around 1,500 treatments a year on Irish patients.

Irish people can access healthcare in Spain under the EU Cross-Border Directive.

Under the directive, patients pay for their treatment in the EU and are then reimbursed by the HSE.

Travel costs are not refunded.

The treatments are available as part of a manor new healthcare agreement between Irish company Healthcare Abroad and the Hospital Clinica Benidorm (HCB) group.

The new €60m state-of-the-art hospital in Dénia Alicante will offer almost every treatment that is currently available on the Irish public health system.

Healthcare Abroad said it has worked closely with the hospital to provide patients a ‘home away from home,’ complete with Irish food menus, for patients to enjoy.

Meanwhile, Irish credit unions are offering patients low-cost costs loan and flexible repayment plans to help them access the healthcare abroad.