Cancer patients are paying an average of €62 per week on car-parking charges in HSE hospitals.
That's according to the Social Democrats, which say most cancer patients spend €800 a year on public hospital charges.
Inpatient charges cost €80 per treatment, but with many people cancer receiving regular chemotherapy sessions, many are paying the top rate of €800 per year.
The #CostOfCancer is not just to your health ❤️🩹
Inpatient charge of €80 per visit for chemo and radiotherapy 💰
Debt collectors at the door if you fail to pay 😨
Extortionate parking fees 🚗🅿️
Loss of income 📉Support our motion to tackle the real #costofcancer. pic.twitter.com/AzzpuK4hc0
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) January 31, 2022
Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall says people who do not have a medical card or private health insurance are being hit with "substantial bills".
"The idea of being hit with a bill is really awful in circumstances where someone is worrying abut their health."
"Patients have enough on their plate without having to deal with financial demands."
The party will bring forward a motion in the Dáil today, calling on the government to address the issue.
