Cancer patients hit hard by costs

CANCER patients on low incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for the cost of travel and overnight accommodation expenses in Dublin, Cork and Galway, two local voluntary support groups have revealed.

A spokesperson for the Clare Cancer Support Centre in Kilnamona, Sláinte an Chláir, confirmed the centre has already spent €8,000 assisting local cancer patients in difficult financial circumstances, who don’t have the money to meet all the ancillary expenses for emergency cancer treatment.

 

Willie McGrath of the West Clare Mini-Marathon Centre in Kilkee confirmed there has been an increase of up to 15% in the demand for its services this year. The centre and spent in the region of €120,000 assisting patients’ needs last year.

While grant assistance is available from the Irish Cancer Society, some Clare patients requiring urgent surgery and treatment cannot afford to wait several weeks before this funding may be approved.

Under the Health Service Executive’s GMS Hardship Scheme, people with full medical cards are provided with a hairpiece, two bras, prosthesis and pressure garments on an annual basis as required, once requests are approved locally. The HSE stressed this is based solely on the fact that the client is the holder of a valid medical card.

The Sláinte An Chláir spokesperson also highlighted the delay some local cancer patients experience obtaining medical cards on medical grounds which, they claim, has taken over four months in a number of cases.

The Mid-West HSE has confirmed there were 2,134 applications from Clare patients under 70 for a medical card in 2011. 1,654 full medical cards were approved, 208 doctor-only visit cards were granted, while 129 applications were refused.

“The last thing any cancer patient wants to do is to approach a centre looking for money or transport for treatment but, in the majority of cases, people can’t afford this as they are in dire financial straits,” the Sláinte and Chláir spokesperson noted.

“One Clare couple who visited the centre told us they didn’t qualify for community welfare assistance, even though their joint income was under €400 a week.

“It would be great if cancer patients who are on low incomes were entitled to free travel to relieve the burden of trying to raise this money. When a person is seriously sick they are in a very vulnerable state and shouldn’t have to be worrying whether they will have enough money to cover the cost of getting their treatment, which can take a number of months in some instances.

“People need to get this money immediately because if their cancer is serious, they may need surgery or specialist treatment within the week,” the spokesperson explained.

Willie McGrath said some cancer patients on low incomes are finding it difficult to cover the cost of obtaining treatment in the major cancer centres and had no option but to seek support from them.

About five years ago in the midst of the Celtic Tiger, the West Clare mini-marathon, which has been running for 15 years, was generating between €170,000 and €190,000.

Its success has funded the expansion of much-needed services. The centre provides a free transport for up to eight West Clare patients, five days a week, allowing them to fulfil appointments at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

Funding is also available to cover the cost of travelling to Galway, Cork and Dublin, as well as Lourdes. The centre also covers the cost of providing two palliative care beds at Regina House, Kilrush and Ennistymon Community Hospital.