Mr. Sherif Sultan, Consultant Endo-vascular specialist
at Galway University Hospital will make a presentation today at 1.30pm to members of the Oireachtas regarding the ArtAssist home device.
A long-time advocate of this medical device, Mr. Sultan will explain how the machine works and why it is of extreme importance to patients who have ‘Peripheral Arterial Disease’.
Galway Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, who will facilitate the presentation, said in advance of the meeting, "The Artassist
device is a cost-effective, non-invasive home device that increases arterial blood flow to the leg. It is the only external pneumatic compression device available in
Ireland. Although accepted as a limb-saving medical device, HSE funding is no longer available to patients who live in Counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. This funding disparity represents a clear discrimination of patients who live in this Western region."
The Senator, who will also raise the issue at next month’s Sinn Féin Ard fheis in Castlebar stated, "There is mounting medical evidence that verifies the effectiveness of this medical device. The decision to withhold funding is short-sighted and makes neither medical nor economic sense.
The HSE may hope to make savings in the short term but will face increasing costs in the future as the cost of treating amputations far outweighs that associated with preventative, treatment measures. Once again, we have an example of a short-term saving that will ultimately cost the tax-payer more in the long-term."
The Senator concluded, "I have invited members of the
Oireachtas to the presentation in Leinster House tomorrow in the hope that they may listen to well established medical evidence and support calls to have HSE funding restored. The HSE must put the needs of the patients first, whilst also
accepting the economic logic of the argument."
at Galway University Hospital will make a presentation today at 1.30pm to members of the Oireachtas regarding the ArtAssist home device.
A long-time advocate of this medical device, Mr. Sultan will explain how the machine works and why it is of extreme importance to patients who have ‘Peripheral Arterial Disease’.
Galway Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, who will facilitate the presentation, said in advance of the meeting, "The Artassist
device is a cost-effective, non-invasive home device that increases arterial blood flow to the leg. It is the only external pneumatic compression device available in
Ireland. Although accepted as a limb-saving medical device, HSE funding is no longer available to patients who live in Counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. This funding disparity represents a clear discrimination of patients who live in this Western region."
The Senator, who will also raise the issue at next month’s Sinn Féin Ard fheis in Castlebar stated, "There is mounting medical evidence that verifies the effectiveness of this medical device. The decision to withhold funding is short-sighted and makes neither medical nor economic sense.
The HSE may hope to make savings in the short term but will face increasing costs in the future as the cost of treating amputations far outweighs that associated with preventative, treatment measures. Once again, we have an example of a short-term saving that will ultimately cost the tax-payer more in the long-term."
The Senator concluded, "I have invited members of the
Oireachtas to the presentation in Leinster House tomorrow in the hope that they may listen to well established medical evidence and support calls to have HSE funding restored. The HSE must put the needs of the patients first, whilst also
accepting the economic logic of the argument."
RSS Feed
