Transport cuts for kidney dialysis patients in west 'diabolical'

Fears were expressed last night that the Health Service Executive (HSE) may withdraw transport services to kidney patients travelling to and from their dialysis appointments.

It follows a decision by the HSE Western Area not to provide free ambulance or taxi services to new patients travelling for dialysis appointments.

The move has been described as "diabolical" by Senator Frank Feighan from Roscommon and as "lacking any common sense" by Dr Donal Reddan, consultant nephrologist at Merlin Park Hospital in Galway. Dr Reddan said about a dozen new patients were affected so far. Among them is Ann Blake (70), from Rahoon in Galway, who was told four weeks ago she would need dialysis three times a week.

"I have to get a taxi there and back because of the arthritis in my feet. I can only walk a bit around the house. The taxi is €12 there and €12 back. So it's €72 a week, which is a good piece out of my pension."

Ann's pension is €193 per week. Her husband is also on a pension and their son is at university.

The HSE Western Area said that, "in the context of the budgetary constraints that the HSE West ambulance service is working under . . . we had to implement the requirement to have a medical card as a criteria for awarding this support".

It said it had "no statutory responsibility to provide transport for patients attending HSE services" and patient transport was provided subject to funding availability.

Mark Murphy, chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association, however, said ensuring a person was able to get to hospital for dialysis was an essential link. "It is part of the treatment. I know of one transplant patient in Clifden who has to make the 100-mile round trip to see her consultant every three months and has to get a taxi. In taking this step, the HSE has destroyed a 40-year-old practice of providing free transport for all patients who require life-saving haemodialysis treatment three times a week. I would be very concerned . . . other health board areas will be watching."

Dr Reddan said the added stress of worrying about paying for transport to get dialysis or to see consultants would "absolutely" have an adverse impact on patients' health.