HSC: Charging cancer patients for A&E is ‘fair’
HEALTH & Social Care is standing by its stance to charge Emergency Department fees for most cancer patients needing out-of-hours care.
It comes as a petition to reverse the move reaches more than 4,000 signatures.
Previously, patients needing care when the Bulstrode Oncology Unit was closed were treated for free at A&E.
But that changed earlier this year, as HSC moved to treat all patients equitably.
Now only those with a life-limiting illness needing care within 48 hours of getting treatment at an HSC site, MSG or off-island, and suffering complications from that care, can get free treatment at A&E.
‘They would not be charged an attendance charge or charged for their treatment,’ the spokesman said.
‘This is particularly relevant for cancer patients in receipt of treatment such as chemotherapy. The committee will of course discuss the issue of now charging cancer patients the same as other patients with life-limiting conditions. It is important we take note of the community we live and work in.’
The spokesman said the decision was taken originally to be fair.
‘That was our sole focus when we made the change to charging policy for those attending the Emergency Department,’ he said.
‘We recognise that no one chooses to attend the Emergency Department, whether that is for a broken bone or someone with a life-limiting illness such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis, just to give some examples.
‘However, the Emergency Department is primary care, along with GP practices, and our system of health care does not allow for the full funding of primary care. We try to keep the costs as low as possible
by covering just under half of the annual cost of running the Emergency Department.’
He said they understood that a care bill was unwelcome for anyone with a life-limiting illness.
‘But we sought to amend the policy simply to make it fair on all patients living with these conditions – of which cancer is one,’ he said.
‘Of course, we would much rather be in a position where we could say anyone needing Emergency Department care can receive it for free, but we aren’t in that financial position.’
The petition can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3ANZRIb
