Fury as HSE cuts refunds to those going North for cataract operations

A 2022 photo of Cork South-West TD Michael Collins welcoming patients on to the 100th Belfast or Blind Bus for their cataract procedures in Belfast. Picture: Neil Michael.

The decision to slash reimbursement rates for people on waiting lists who need cataract operations carried out abroad will lead to people going blind, TD Michael Collins has claimed.

The Cork South-West TD and Independent Ireland party leader said this is because fewer people will be able to afford to go abroad to get them done as a result of a decision by the HSE.