Carers and cancer patients are being “forced into poverty” under the current healthcare system, two Lunchtime Live participants have warned.
On Lunchtime Live's Election Town Hall Special, carer Tracy, cancer patient Sarah, Sinn Féin candidate Daithí Doolan, Social Democrats candidate Jennifer Whitmore and Newstalk political correspondent Sean Defoe spoke about the issue of healthcare.
Topics covered across this election special were cost of living, healthcare, crime and childcare.
Tracy from county Meath is a carer for her two disabled children.
She is calling for the next Government to introduce a citizen's assembly on education to allow for the development of an inclusive model for all children.
“We're constantly hearing the same narratives ‘the best country to live in’ and ‘the best start for every child’ - but this does not apply to the most vulnerable members of society, and especially our children,” she said.
“We've a broken health system and we are failing our most vulnerable.
“The children's disability services are not fit for purpose, there's long waiting lists and inadequate therapeutic supports.”
Tracy said rates of carers allowance are “forcing families into poverty”.
“Carers allowance is means tested with a full rate weekly payment of €248, if you get the full rate - and the average cost of disability in a home is €244 per week,” she said.
“We're forcing families into poverty, people that are providing 24/7 care and saving the state approximately €20-billion per annum.”
"Absolute state of crisis"
Tracy said there is more to caring for a disabled child than just medical care.
“We have a two-tiered model that excludes children with additional education needs, and they're not able to access the right to a high-quality education in the local school,” she said.
“Time after time, we hear the motions brought to the houses, and they're just words blown in the breeze.
“So now we're in a state of fighting fire, like we're in an absolute state of crisis when it comes to family carers and children with additional needs.”
Medical card. Image: AlamySharon is a cancer patient who is asking the next Government to “immediately issue medical cards for cancer patients”.
“As a result of my cancer, my income dropped considerably,” she said.
“I was 16 months having surgery and treatments back and forward.
“I had to defer my mortgage and went into debt [with] all the expenses that were incurred and obviously, I was out of work.”
"€10,000 in treatment"
Sharon said her estimated cost for her “cancer journey” was several thousand euros.
“When I started recovery, I was in debt,” she said.
“I had to go back to work earlier than I should have, because I had to pay off some of these debts and my credit rating is not good now.
“I'm now 18 months into a 10 year cancer treatment, because I'm in a subgroup of a high risk of cancer reoccurrence.
“My estimate is by the time I finish this treatment – hopefully I survive it – it will be up to €10,000 that I will have spent on treatment.”
Sharon said that even though her income dropped, she was “slightly over” the threshold for the medical card.
She is asking the next Government for immediate medical cards in the case of cancer patients, regardless of income rates.
"Top priority"
Also on the show, Sinn Féin candidate Daithí Doolan said the party have launched their disability manifesto, pledging to get rid of means testing for carers.
Social Democrats candidate Jennifer Whitmore reinforced the party’s pledge to make the area of disability a “top priority”.
Newstalk political correspondent Sean Defoe said Fianna Fáil’s manifesto has highlighted its plans to legislate for a “right to be forgotten for cancer survivors”.
This would ensure survivors’ ability to successfully apply for mortgages and insurance.
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Rising cost of healthcare. Image: Alamy
