Patients availing of free NI operations Gardaí issue advice for online shopping
PATIENTS OPTING TO TRAVEL TO THE NORTH TO AVOID HSE WAITING LISTS
GROWING numbers of Wicklow patients on hospital waiting lists are travelling to Northern Ireland for surgery under the a new directive which allows them to pay upfront and be refunded later by the HSE.
The EU Cross Border Directive has made it possible to patients on waiting lists for procedures such as hip and knee replacements and cataract removal to have their operations complered in hospitals in Northern Ireland in a matter of weeks.
According to local councillor Pat Fitzgerald a number of people from Arklow and Wicklow have already had successful surgeries.
‘I am aware that a number of people have already travelled to the North to have joint replacement surgery and it has been a great success. There is no waiting list and the HSE has made an agreement with Credit Unions so that patients can borrow the money to pay upfront and then replay the loan once the HSE refunds them. It has given people a new lease of life who would otherwise be on waiting lists for months, if not years,’ he said.
Wicklow TD Pat Casey said that this avenue is worth considering for people on these long term waiting lists.
‘My office deals every week with people who are waiting for over 12 months for serious treatments such as hip and knee replacements. These people experience great pain and discomfort while waiting for these procedures and many do not know that they can avail of private treatment in Northern Ireland which can be then refunded through the EU cross border directive by the HSE. While there is some small costs such as travel and accommodation involved the entire cost of the treatment is reimbursed by the HSE under this EU directive. For people in pain this is an avenue worth considering. My information is that Irish Credit Union movement are very agreeable to providing the necessary bridging finance that is needed for this treatment process,’ he said. GARDAI IN Bray have issued guidelines to encourage safe online shopping in the lead up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday on Nevmber 24 and 27, as well as the imminent busy Christmas retail period.
They said that Cyber Monday and Christmas is a time when consumers switch to online forums to get the last minute or cheap purchase.
Goods that aren’t available in stores can be found online, sometimes at cheaper prices; all of which increases the attraction of online shopping.
Anyone shopping on the Internet should take greater precautions when purchasing goods online then they would when they purchase in shops. An online marketplace doesn’t have the security of being face to face contact with seller in a known physical location so gardai have issued tips and advice.
Only buy from trusted sources, shops or brands that you are familiar with, and use credit cards when purchasing things online.
Make sure the data transfer is appropriately protected. Look for the padlock symbol. Think twice before allowing e-merchant stores to store your payment details. Be aware how to control the recurring charge if paying for a continuous service online, and always save all documents related to your online purchases.
If you are not buying a specific product or service, don’t submit your card details.
Avoid doing your online shopping at sites that don’t use full authentication. Never send your card number, PIN or any other card information to anyone by email
When purchasing something online from another person, do not send money up front. Never send your card details in an unencrypted email
Don’t send money to anyone you don’t know online. Remember, regularly check statements and transactions for any frauds or suspicious activity.
Report suspicious transactions to your local garda station and to your bank or card processor.
Further advice and crime prevention information is available at garda.ie.