Heart patients are calling for wider access to medical and GP visit cards amid the cost of living crisis.
The Irish Heart Foundation has slammed the lack of supports available for people diagnosed with chronic heart disease in Ireland. Representatives from the charity will meet with politicians at Leinster House today to discuss providing medical cards to all heart patients.
The charity stated that 40 per cent of people diagnosed with heart failure in Ireland do not have access to a medical card. The IHF is also calling for the removal of prescription charges for patients.
Pauline O'Shea will attend today's delegation with TDs at Leinster House. The 50-year-old was diagnosed with heart failure in 2012 and argued many patients are struggling to afford adequate care.
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Pauline said: "People in my situation have been invisible and we need to be recognised; there are thousands like me, who went from a two income household, to one, but still face mortgages, bills and medical costs and have dependants to support. The least we deserve is a medical card once diagnosed with heart failure.”
Her sentiments echo recent research from the Irish Heart Foundation. Almost three quarters of heart patients feel their psychological needs are not being met, while half are failing to get cardiac rehabilitation care.
Representatives are also calling for an assessment of the economic impact of heart disease on patients. There are approximately 90,000 people living with the condition in Ireland, with 10,000 new cases cropping up annually.
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