Stephen Teap: 'If we are to fix the healthcare system, we must start paying patient advocates'

Stephen Teap lost his wife Irene to cancer after getting incorrect screening results. He points out that at present only people who have money and time can advocate on behalf of patients, and that they should be paid for their work. Picture: Dan Linehan

The Government must introduce payments for patient advocate campaigners if we are to fix the healthcare system from the ground up, campaigner Stephen Teap has said.

The Department of Health has yet to draw up a payment policy for patient representatives despite the fact that this was first promised almost 18 months ago.