HEALTH REACTION:THE INTRODUCTION of a prescription charge for medical card holders was condemned last night by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which represents doctors at all levels.
Dr Ronan Boland, IMO GP committee chairman, said it would disproportionately affect elderly and low-income groups and those suffering from long-term disease.
“While the size of the charge is initially modest, doctors and patients alike fear it will be increased steadily over time. In addition, there will be a significant administrative cost in collecting the charge,” he said.
The Irish Pharmacy Union warned the introduction of the charge could lead to certain patients no longer taking essential medicines and, as a result, requiring hospitalisation.
Fine Gael’s health spokesman Dr James Reilly said the charge was an assault on people who can ill afford it “when the minor savings to be made could well be made elsewhere – notably from the HSE back room which remains bloated”.
Meanwhile, there was criticism of the failure to increase the cost of tobacco products by ASH Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation as well as condemnation of the reduction in alcohol prices. Public health expert Prof Joe Barry said heavy drinkers and young drinkers are particularly attracted by cheap alcohol and the measures announced in the Budget will only add to the problems of underage drinking.
There was also swift reaction to pay cuts for health sector staff. The Irish Nurses Organisation said it viewed as “grossly unfair, short-sighted, damaging and provocative” the Government decision “to apply a second pay cut, in nine months” to nurses, midwives and all public servants.
“Nurses and midwives, already stretched beyond breaking point to maintain safe quality care, will never accept the imposition of this second cut upon their very ordinary incomes, while they are being expected to consistently meet the ever increasing levels of demand placed upon them,” INO general secretary Liam Doran said.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said it was dismayed at the 15 per cent pay cut for consultants.