Patients going blind due to op delays, Dáil hears

The case of a man with inflammation of the brain and spinal cord who was denied a medical card has been raised in the Dáil along with claims other sick patients are being refused care.

Patients with cataracts on surgical waiting lists are also going blind due to delays in operations, the Daíl heard.

The two matters were highlighted by Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae yesterday. He highlighted the case of a man with encephalomyelitis, which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, who has been denied a discretionary medical card for almost half a year.