Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is very disappointing there are no plans to include patients with haemochromatosis on the long-term illness scheme, particularly given it is a lifelong illness, is not curable and needs regular monitoring and treatment, and given the fact it can lead to failure of vital organs and can be fatal if not regularly monitored. The response given is from the Minister and the Department. What the Government is saying is that it is fully happy to put a financial obstacle in the way of patients in regard to ongoing treatment for a serious illness and that it does not see the need to include this in the long-term illness scheme. It is happy with the fact patients may not have the financial means to attend a clinic with €80 stuffed in their pocket for the privilege. The Government is saying that is okay; it is acceptable.

The procedure itself takes a maximum of 30 minutes for the blood to be drawn down. The blood pressure is then checked and if it is okay, the patient is told to come back in a month. This means the patient is less than an hour in a bed but is being charged €80 for that privilege. It is grossly unfair. What the hell are we paying PRSI for if we have to pay every time we access a health service in hospital? Where is it going if it is not going towards patient care, preventive measures and medicines? What are we paying it for? Where has it gone?

I ask the Minister for Health to reconsider this given it is a lifelong condition.

Iron overload is not a curable condition and this new measure of imposing this charge will put a financial burden on people and will deter them. The objective of any health service should be about preventative measures and not deterring people because of their financial means.

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