The scheme, which launches in June, allows patients in Northern Ireland waiting more than two years for an operation to claim back money if they pay for a procedure in the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme deputy chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, Dr Clodagh Corrigan, said: ‘If we are now in a position where we are providing a better health service to those who can afford it, we are going to see that disparity become even greater and people who cannot afford to pay for their healthcare upfront really suffering.'

The scheme was part of a £215m package of measures to reduce waiting lists announced by Northern Ireland health minister Mike Nesbitt on 6 May.

Nesbitt said: ‘The reimbursement scheme is a relatively small part of the overall package of measures - £10m out of a total of £215m. I am acutely aware of the access issue on the reimbursement scheme and am exploring mitigations.

‘I also note many elected representatives wanted it reinstated and indeed, since the announcement, a number of representatives have contacted me asking for the timeline for the scheme. No elected representative has written raising the inequity issue.'