Cataract patients forced to travel to North for surgery
Pensioners’ 8hr trip for operation
A GROUP of 13 elderly patients had to travel to the North to have sight-saving cataract surgery.
The patients, who are aged in their 70s and 80s and from Cork and Kerry, made the trip at the weekend to the Kingsbridge Hospital in Belfast to have their operations under the Cross Border Initiative.
They decided to make the eight-hour round trip for the surgery due to the huge waiting lists here, with some being told they would have to wait three to four years for their surgery.
There are over 8,500 people on the waiting list for cataract surgery with some fearing they will lose their sight before they get treatment.
The Health Service Executive’s National Clinical lead for ophthalmology said the scenario was “an intolerable situation”. Professor Billy Power said there was a need for specialist cataract theatres and an increase in the number of cataract theatres to deal with the high demand for the vital surgery.
He warned: “If we don’t do things differently, we’re facing a tsunami in terms of the numbers of people who are waiting and who will be waiting for cataract surgery.”
Gerry Higgins, 89, from Bishopstown,
HSE YESTERDAY
Co Cork, explained he decided to go to the North because he has been waiting for four years for the surgery.
Explaining what the procedure means to him, he told RTE’S Morning Ireland: “I can’t drive which is an absolutely murderous thing. It will mean life again and I’ll be able to go out and meet the pals.” John Lynch, a farmer from Bandon, Co Cork, said his condition made it very difficult for him to drive at night or work his farm machinery.
He said: “I’m waiting two-and-a-half years to get the cataracts removed. When this came up, I went for it.
“I keep off the main road at night because I can’t handle the lights of the cars.
“So, this is going to be a new life for me now to get them removed”.
Margaret Sheehan, 84, from Ballincollig, Co Cork, said while she was “delighted” to be able to make the trip, she admitted the journey was very tiring for someone of her age.
She added: “It’s really not right, an 84-year-old woman, or any old person of my age, the journey is so long. But we are glad to have it, delighted to go”.
The age of patient Gerry Higgins who had waited four years for an op
If we don’t do things differently we face a tsunami of people waiting on surgery PROFESSOR BILLY POWER