The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed the abolition of hospital in-patient charges which comes into effect from today.
From April 17th, the €80 per day charge, which can reach a maximum of €800 in a year, has been waived for people accessing care as a public patient in all public hospitals.
The Irish Cancer Society has long campaigned for the abolition of hospital charges.
Director of Advocacy, Rachel Morrogh, said: “In-patient charges did not just apply to people staying overnight in a hospital, but included the use of day services, such as chemotherapy. We extend our thanks to Minister Stephen Donnelly, who with his Government colleagues, responded to our plea on behalf of cancer patients and in doing so, initiated a change that goes some way to reducing the cost of the disease for families across the country.”
“It is really significant that future cancer patients will not have to face this cost and will never have to face the worry and anxiety that the €800 per year burden put on people. As well as the charge being abolished, debt collectors will no longer be used to chase payment.
“The Irish Cancer Society is continuing to campaign for reduced costs for families facing a cancer diagnosis, such as reduction in the cost of car parking, lower insurance premiums for cancer survivors and an automatic entitlement to a medical card.”
