Wrangle over invoices is last thing these women need
THERE are many silent battles being endured by victims of the CervicalCheck scandal. Fighting serious illness is just one of the trials they face. And there is the financial burden it brings.
The Government’s decision to offer a support package to include medical cards, payment for new drugs, childcare, travel and other expenses was welcomed as a gesture to bring some ease, not just to women with cervical cancer, but those who have recovered and bereaved families.
The pledge was made at
Health Correspondent
the height of the public outcry. But there now appears to be a rowing back of some of that commitment. The imposition of a timeline for reimbursement backdated to May 11 seems overly strict.
Beyond that date, support is reliant on the advice of the Department of Health.
It means more red tape and uncertainty.
Many women have been gathering their invoices going back several months and now may not get any financial support past the May 11 date.
A report by the Irish Cancer Society has previously highlighted the hidden costs of the disease.
It found cancer patients can suffer reduced income as a result of being out of work combined with additional out-of-pocket payments.
The Real Cost of Cancer research found the average extra spend per month among cancer patients – those with a medical card or private health insurance
– was €862.
For those who cannot work and are forced to cut back on work hours, the income drop can average €1,400 a month, or €16,750 a year.
The burden is not confined to victims of the CervicalCheck scandal, of course, and there is much the October Budget can do to ease the pressures of all cancer patients, including the reduction of car parking charges in hospitals.
The CervicalCheck women and families are hopeful that the department will show discretion and compassion.
Getting into some wrangle over invoices is a worry they can do without.
For many the psychological impact of the scandal has been intense.
Gatherings of affected people organised by Dr Gabriel Scally as part of his scoping inquiry have been described by some of the participants as extremely sad. Dr Scally is anxious to give people a chance to give their personal account.
Several bereaved men are among the groups, sitting on their own. The last thing they need is a dispute over expenses.