Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
793. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the financial supports available to islanders travelling to hospitals and overnight stays to access cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24002/20]
View answerI have been advised by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) that there are two services administered by the Irish Cancer Society which offer financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment.
The first of these services is the Travel2Care Scheme - a limited transportation assistance fund, funded by the NCCP. This is available to patients travelling to a designated cancer centre, approved centres, or an approved children’s hospital and will cover part of the associated costs for said travel. Application for financial assistance from the fund requires that the patient meet the following criteria:
- Permanent residence in the state,
- Travelling over 50km to their designated cancer centre, approved centres, or approved children’s hospital,
- A genuine financial need for assistance,
- No qualification for other schemes, such as transport funded by the HSE or voluntary services such as the Volunteer Driver Service (however, it is possible for a child to receive assistance from both the Irish Cancer Society’s Children’s Fund and the Travel 2 Care scheme simultaneously).
Application is conducted using two separate forms depending on the treatment being travelled for. In the case of cancer tests, application can be made by submitting Form A to the Irish Cancer Society - which is available via cancer.ie, emailing travel@irishcancer.ie, calling 01 231 6643 / 01 231 0522 to request a copy, or by requesting a copy via the mail.
Form B is for ongoing treatment – such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or palliative care – and is only available from a healthcare professional such as a medical social worker or your G.P. Said healthcare professional is not obligated to provide the application form and must believe there is genuine need for financial assistance to provide it.
The following hospitals are covered by the Travel2Care scheme:
- Beaumont Hospital
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- St James’s Hospital
- St Vincent’s University Hospital
- Cork University Hospital
- University Hospital Waterford
- Galway University Hospital
- University Hospital Limerick
- Letterkenny General Hospital (approved satellite centre)
- Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin
- St Luke’s Hospital
- Whitfield Clinic (if you are a public patient travelling over 50kms for radiotherapy treatment)
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital
The second scheme available aiding those travelling for cancer treatment is the Volunteer Driver Service. This is a volunteer delivered transport service wherein patients are driven to and from treatment in designated partner hospitals and centres. Drivers are interviewed, trained, Garda vetted and must attend annual Support and Supervision sessions ran by the Irish Cancer Society to participate in the service.
The service is free to the patient, with all costs paid by the Irish Cancer Society, and applications are conducted by approaching a healthcare professional in a partnered hospital who will then discuss the suitability of it for the patients needs and make a decision on referral. Once referred, the patient must book appointments in advance with the Irish Cancer Society to arrange transport.
Participating hospitals and cancer centres for the scheme are:
- Cavan General Hospital
- Cork University Hospital
- The Mercy Hospital
- South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital
- Beaumont Hospital
- St. Vincent's University Hospital
- St. James' Hospital
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- Tallaght University Hospital
- Connolly Hospital
- Letterkenny General Hospital
- Merlin Park University Hospital
- Galway University Hospital
- Portiuncula Hospital
- Kerry General Hospital
- Naas Hospital
- St. Luke's General Hospital
- University Hospital Limerick
- Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
- Mayo General Hospital
- Midlands Regional Hospital
- Sligo General Hospital
- South Tipperary General Hospital
- University Hospital Waterford
- Wexford General Hospital
- Donegal Cancer Flights & Services, Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Upper Dore, Bunbeg, Letterkenny, Donegal
- The Community Intervention Team , Anam Cara, St Canice’s Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 (Outreach centre for The Mater and Beaumont Hospital)
