Cash Up Front Demand of Cancer patients by HSE is appalling – Crowe

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has branded the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) demand for cash up front payment for vital treatment from cancer patients as appalling.

Deputy Crowe’s comments were in reaction to findings from the Irish Cancer Society, that cancer outpatients are now being asked to pay up front for chemotherapy treatment at €75 a session.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I believe demanding €75 up front from outpatients every time they attend a chemotherapy session is an outrageous and appalling practice by that is now being demanded by the HSE.

“This situation is not isolated to one or two hospitals but is happening all across the state, it appears to be happening now, due to a directive that the HSE sent out to all hospitals.

“While paying for chemotherapy sessions is not new, the practice of demanding the cash up front is. Any cancer patient who does not have a medical card or private insurance will now have to cough up massive sums of money before they can avail of this life saving treatment. This is completely wrong and endangers the lives of cancer patients.

“Many Cancer patients are already struggling to cover their extra living costs due to their illness and are under enough emotional and physical pressure without this added burden.  My biggest fear is that a patient will not be able to afford chemotherapy sessions, which are vital to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells, and not turn up for treatment and due to financial difficulties not turn up for treatment.

“The added distress and worry this has caused patients fighting this life-threatening illness is appalling.

“I know that hospitals are under huge financial strain at the moment but demanding cash on delivery for something as vital as chemotherapy is not the solution. The primary requirement that should be needed for critical treatment like this is that you are ill, not whether you can fork out €75 up front for every treatment.

“I am calling on the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly and the HSE to review and reverse this decision and end this heartless demand, which is causing real anguish among cancer patients, and putting lives at risk.”