Life-saving treatment denied due to Christmas post

A woman with severe epilepsy who has been waiting two years for vital tests has been refused funding for overseas treatment because her application was delayed in the Christmas post.

Gráinne O’Connor, 27, from Shanagarry, Co Cork, whose epilepsy is life-threatening, applied under the HSE’s treatment abroad scheme (TAS) to travel to London for tests.

She has spent 27 months on a waiting list to be seen at Beaumont Hospital. The HSE refused her application but on Dec 10 told Gráinne she could appeal the decision within 10 working days.

Gráinne sent her appeal by registered post on Dec 20, along with a letter of support from Daniel Costello, her consultant neurologist. Dr Costello said Gráinne had experienced “unacceptable delays in accessing the various investigations needed in Ireland” and that her case was one of “unique clinical complexity”.

Gráinne, blind since birth, has poorly-controlled epilepsy, putting her at risk of sudden unexpected death. Dr Costello wrote: “In my opinion, Gráinne needs to undergo a pre-surgical evaluation without further delay.”

The HSE last week turned down Gráinne’s appeal on the basis that her registered letter had not been received at the TAS office in Kilkenny until Dec 28, outside the 10 working days requirement.

In her refusal letter, HSE general manager Catherine Donohue enclosed a copy of the An Post tracking results. She also recommended that Gráinne seek access “to the appropriate services at Beaumont”. There was no reference to the concerns of Gráinne’s consultant.

Gráinne’s father, Tom O’Connor, has sought to highlight his daughter’s plight because of his frustration with the HSE. Gráinne sent a registered letter within the appropriate timeframe but was now being penalised, he said, because her letter had been delayed in the Christmas rush.

“It’s not only grossly unfair, it’s ridiculous,” Tom said. His daughter’s seizures were getting progressively worse, he said, and affecting her ability to live normally.

“She recently had a grand mal [severe] seizure in Dunnes Stores in Patrick Street in Cork, when she lost the power in her legs for several hours. This was the first time she ever lost the power in her legs,” he said.

“The seizures are gaining in intensity and the damage done by each one is becoming more and more significant.”

A HSE spokesperson said they could not comment on individual cases and that if an applicant was not satisfied with the outcome of their application, they could appeal it.