The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Cataract op in the North was simple decision’
A BALLYBUNION truck driver whose life was transformed after having cataract surgery in Northern Ireland has urged anyone on the waiting list to take this option.
“I would have been languishing here on the waiting list for years, but it was all sorted in five weeks when I did it myself,” explains John Casey.
He first heard about the cross-border initiative online and decided to research it.
He contacted the Cathedral Eye Clinic in Belfast, which helped him sort the whole process out, a process he says is much easier than he expected.
“They told me how to do it and how to get the forms and that was it,” he said. I had been waiting to see a specialist in Cork for 12 months and was told it could be another 18 months just for an appointment, with surgery some time after that.
“My left eye was deteriorating at an awful rate due to my cataract, and it was seriously affecting my life. My wife, Caroline, is partially disabled due to stroke in 2010, so I am her carer, and I needed to be able to drive.”
When John contacted the centre he was told that he would have to wait a few weeks before being assessed.
“I laughed because I thought that is not waiting. It took five weeks in all to get sorted,” he said.
Under the cross-border initiative, the HSE reimburses the cost of the operation in Belfast. John borrowed the money from his local credit union, and he has since been reimbursed by the HSE.
John said “there is no great mystery” over the HSE’s Cross Border Healthcare Directive and that people need to know it exists.
John, who was a long-distance lorry driver across Europe, said the operation took just a few minutes.
“Caroline and I got the train to Dublin Heuston, the Luas to Connolly, and the train to Belfast and of course it’s free for us,” he said.
“It cost us £5 for the taxi to the clinic from the train station in Belfast, and it was so easy.”
“The procedure itself lasted a few minutes. I never felt a thing. It was so easy. There is nothing to worry about.
“I could see out of my left eye when I took the patch off the next day. In fact my left eye was 10 times better than my ‘good’ eye,” said John.
He said he wants to tell everyone about the procedure so that they can do the same.
“The knowledge of the scheme should be shared with everyone, especially older folk. There’s no great mystery to it – credit unions are happy to provide a loan for payment of the procedure and the HSE refund comes back within 28 days. You just need a referral from a doctor here in the Republic, and that’s it sorted.
“Really, all TDs and the Government should be highlighting the value of the Cross Border Healthcare Directive.
“If I hadn’t gone online and found it myself and then gone to the Cathedral Eye Clinic to see Professor Johnny Moore and his team, I’d still be sitting at home on a waiting list.
“People need to know they don’t have to wait for a cataract operation – or many other procedures. One phone call can sort it out, and I’d urge other people to do the same.”
John said that his life has completely changed.
“I was afraid to drive because I couldn’t judge the road. I can now read without glasses. My life has completely changed. I would recommend anyone go to the clinic.”
He feels that it is a “disgrace” that so many people are on the waiting list here for a cataract operation.
“Nobody wants to tell you what you are entitled to. I could have been waiting years and lost my sight but instead I have my eye-sight and it was all sorted quickly.
“I wanted people to hear my story first-hand so they would know there is nothing to worry about and that is very easy to get sorted.”
The Belfast city centre private clinic said the number of Republic of Ireland patients contacting it for help has increased by 300 per cent since last year.
“It’s important that people know the bulk of the costs are paid by the HSE and that they should have a referral from their doctor first so those costs can be recouped,” Professor Moore explained.