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.