Dublin People - Hospital charge makes blood boil

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Hospital charge makes blood boil

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

AN association that works with people with a lifelong illness is calling for a charge on vital treatment for patients to be removed at a Northside hospital.
Patients with the condition Haemochromatosis – which is a build up of iron in the blood – are being charged e60 at Beaumont Hospital for a blood taking procedure, despite the fact that it is offered for free at St James’s Hospital.
Haemochromatosis is a hereditary condition that is most prevalent in Ireland and can lead to organ failure if left untreated.
Patients with the condition must make regular visits to hospital for venesection (to have blood taken from them) so as to reduce the build up of iron in their bodies.
Now the Irish Haemochromatosis Association (IHA) is calling on the HSE to remove the e60 charge on patients who visit Beaumont Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the association told Northside People that as it was vital that patients get blood taken from them on a regular basis, the charge should be dropped.
The spokeswoman pointed to a very successful pilot operation being run between St James’s Hospital and the Irish Blood Transfusion Board (IBTB), which she hopes will be extended throughout the country.
Haemochromatosis patients at St James’s are now referred to a clinic run by the IBTB in Stillorgan to give blood that is in heavy demand by the board.
“This pilot scheme is working very well and it is hoped that we will eventually have 10 to 12 such clinics set up,” the IHA spokeswoman said.
“We were part of a working group that delivered a report to Minister for Health, Mary Harney, two years ago which recommended better screening and early diagnosis of Haemochromatosis.
“I still believe the HSE could be doing more to help Haemochromatosis patients and one major way of doing this would be to remove that charge at Beaumont Hospital.”
According to the IHA spokeswoman, 160 Haemochromatosis patients are now on the IBTB’s books as blood donors through the pilot scheme.
“Unfortunately, because there is a charge at Beaumont Hospital, patients from there are not allowed to use the pilot clinic, as they may be seen to be offering themselves as donors just to avoid paying the charge,” she added.
A spokesman for Beaumont Hospital told Northside People that it did seek clarification from the HSE on the e60 charge.
“We are aware of the pilot scheme involving St James’s and the IBTB, but until we are directed otherwise, we have been advised to continue with the charge,” the spokesman said.
Dublin North TD Darragh O’Brien (FF) raised the issue of the charge for venesection at Beaumont Hospital in the Dáil.
Deputy O’Brien asked Minister for Health, Mary Harney, if there were any plans to remove the charge, considering the same procedure was being offered for free at St James’s Hospital.
Minister Harney said her department contacted the HSE last July, requesting a review of current charging practices.
“My department contacted the HSE again in February expressing concern that it appeared that venesection services were still being provided in an inconsistent manner amongst hospitals and requested that the issue be addressed as soon as possible,” Minister Harney stated.

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