No free transport for dialysis patients ‘a road hazard’

HOSPITAL patients in need of regular dialysis treatment could be placing themselves and other road-users in danger as a result of cutbacks to transport services for non-medical-card-holders in the west, according to the Irish Kidney Association.

The charity yesterday expressed dismay at the recent decision by the western area of the Health Service Executive to withdraw free transport services from dialysis patients.

IKA chief executive Mark Murphy warned the decision could have dangerous consequences as many patients may attempt to drive themselves to and from dialysis treatment centres.

“They are frequently weak, light-headed and nauseous both before and after their dialysis,” said Mr Murphy.

Due to budgetary constraints, the HSE ruled that patients who do not hold medical cards from Galway, Mayo and Roscommon will in future not be provided with free ambulances or taxis to transport them to hospitals for dialysis treatment.

A spokesperson for the HSE West said it was regrettable that it had to implement the requirement for certain patients to have a medical card in order to avail of its transport services.

However, she pointed out that the HSE has no statutory responsibility to provide transport for patients attending HSE services.

The HSE said the cost of providing patient transport services had already increased by 51% last year.

“The HSE must reverse this third world economy decision and prevent such a lethal policy from spreading throughout other HSE areas,” said Mr Murphy.