‘Charging cancer patients for A&E treatment was untenable’
DEPRIVING cancer patients of free out-of-hours treatment in their darkest times was ‘wrong’, an Alderney politician has said.
Steve Roberts was one of several politicians to call out the decision made by Health & Social Care after experiencing cancer himself, but is now delighted that the previous policy has been reinstated.
‘I spoke in the States because I just had to say something and felt strongly that they had made a mistake,’ he said.
‘I am delighted that it has been removed, it now needs to be made permanent.’
He added that it could have been a risk to life for patients unable to access paid out-of-hours treatment.
‘For patients going through cancer and treatment is the darkest time and most concerning and worrying time of their lives, and they won’t go to the ED [emergency department] for being frightened of the charges,’ he said.
‘Having to wait hours for care or pain relief because they are afraid of the cost is simply wrong.’
Also a cancer patient herself, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen said that she could understand HSC’s role in juggling and balancing finances, but it could have had an adverse effect for patients.
‘Sometimes the effects of chemotherapy or other treatments are not always within the 48-hour period and are on the fourth or fifth day after treatment, and it can make people really very poorly,’ she said.
‘It can affect people’s strength and to complete treatment in a timely matter.’
In last week’s States meeting, Deputy Rob Prow questioned HSC president Al Brouard about the decision, querying the need for a comprehensive review of ED charging policies.
Now that the updated policy which has been in place since May has been removed, Deputy Prow said that he was ‘extremely pleased’ that HSC had changed their stance.
‘I thank HSC for having the courage to reconsider their position as in my view it was untenable,’ he said.
‘I hope that HSC goes further and undertakes a full and comprehensive review of all Emergency Department charging policies, particularly where patients are receiving secondary health care and need urgent out-of- hours treatment or where financial vulnerability is apparent, in consultation with third sector stake holders.’
