€68m for mobility aids – who’s to blame?

YOUR editorial relating to the incredible cost of mobility aids within the HSE (August 17) highlights yet another example of gross mismanagement, at best, or the system being milked barefaced at worst.

I was given second-hand equipment by highly efficient, caring, but overworked therapists who operated out of cramped offices. They took the trouble to switch and swap components to suit my particular needs.

At the coalface the system works well, but then I was in Cork University Hospital. Other hospitals are not far behind as I have heard the same opinion from most wheelchair-users.

The wastage and excess cost would seem to be higher up the power ladder, where paper is shuffled. There is something very peculiar indeed not just inrelation to the huge amount of money involved but also the rejection of recycling for fear of litigation – an excuse so lame it would need a specially built Zimmer frame to support it.

There’s nothing much that can go wrong with a wheelchair; walkers are virtually indestructible and crutches would easily withstand the abuse of a group of 10-year-olds sword-fighting and pole-vaulting, so regular inspection would be a duplication of what is already being done by existing staff.

A small portion of the €68m could be used to set up a plant to manufacture these essential aids and surplus production could be donated to less fortunate people.

It would be achievable, but only without high-flying executives.

Patrick Dolan

Pearse Street

Kinsale

Co Cork