Public patients hammered

OPPOSITION parties and patients’ groups have accused the Government of hammering public patients through a series of stealth taxes outlined yesterday in the Book of Estimates.

An 8 increase in the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) means those who rely on a monthly drug supply will now have to spend 78 rather than 70 per month to qualify for Government assistance. A spokesperson for the Irish Senior Citizen’s Parliament said the increase could mean a lot of elderly people were unable to take medication on a regular basis.

A&E charges are to go up by 5, bringing the cost to 45. Private patients have also been hit. The cost of a private bed in a public hospital will rise by 15%.