Renewed call for post mastectomy funding

A plea to ensure that women have access to proper government funding for post mastectomy products was made in Leinster House last week by Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, who highlighted the work of Blackrock-based woman, Alison McCabe.

A HSE proposal to reduce the funding available to women in certain areas, including Louth, in order to “standardise” the grants across the State was reversed last month by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly after it was raised in the Dáil by Deputy Ó Murchú and other TDs, and featured on Liveline with Joe Duffy.

The scheme remains under review by health bosses and issues with the review, highlighted to Deputy Ó Murchú by Ms McCabe, were raised by the Sinn Féin TD during his party’s debate on the National Cancer Strategy.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “This is an issue that blew up on Joe Duffy’s radio programme and in the House, down to the work of Alison McCabe of Breastcare by Alison.

“It relates to post-mastectomy products and the fact that the HSE was considering halving the funding for them at one stage.

“In fairness, it is one of the few times I saw this place operate to some degree. Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, got up and said that this was not going to happen, and he made a number of promises.

“I want the Minister of State to come back to me with regard to the review process. I want to make sure that people like Alison are involved in that particular review.

“I have been in contact with them. I was very lucky to be able to visit where she does absolutely great work for women who have been through mastectomies and who have dealt with huge pain that has been caused by cancer.

“We need to make sure this review is absolutely patient focused and that there is input from patients, and that we do not have any of the changes with regard to the application process that would put it back on those particular patients.

“We need to make sure that service providers, such as consultants, breast care nurses and fitting professionals like Alison, are all happy to engage in this.

“We need that information and we need to make sure it happens, and that funding goes up.”