Hospital information

St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin4.

Phone: 01 2214000

St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin 6.

Phone: 01 4065000

St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8.

Phone: 01 4103000

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7.

Phone: 01 8032000

Ely Hospital, Wexford.

Phone: 053 9198270

UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford.

Phone: 051 337400

Waterford University Hospital, Waterford.

Phone: 051 848000

 

Financial/Scheme information:

You may be worried about the costs involved with having cancer treatment, that is totally normal, don’t worry as Yellow Hearts Cancer Support, Gorey are here to help as much as we can.

Ask your specialist nurse to refer you to a medical social worker. They can do this if your hospital has one.

See below some benefits and schemes you may be able to apply for:

Medical card:

Your care team can talk to you about applying for a medical card.

However see below 4 different options of where you can apply for your medical card today.

Option 1: If your child is under 18 and has cancer, you can apply for the medical card here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/children-with-cancer/). You do not need to supply details of income and expenses.

Option 2: Aged between 18-69 and have cancer, you can apply here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/). This option will be means tested. Within the above link, you will see what documents are required.

Option 3: Over 70 with cancer, you can apply here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/). To qualify for this option, gross income needs to be less than €550 a week if you are single or €1050 a week for a couple.

Option 4: Emergency medical card, please apply here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/). More information on who is entitled to an emergency medical card within the above link.

If you do not qualify for a medical card, there are other schemes you can apply for to help with healthcare costs. See below some options:

Drugs Payment Scheme card

Having a Drugs Payment Scheme card means you or your family do not have to pay more than €80 a month for approved prescribed medicines. You can apply for your drug scheme card here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/drugs-payment-scheme/apply/)

GP visit card:

If you have a GP visit card, you do not have to pay to see your GP. You will have to pay for medicines and other services. Click here for more information on GP visit card (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/gp-visit-cards/gp-visit-cards/).

HSE allowances:

Alopecia (hair loss) from cancer treatment:

If you have hair loss after cancer treatment you may choose to get a wig or hair piece. These are also known as hair replacement products. The HSE will pay €770 a year towards the cost of a wig or hair piece. You do not need to have a medical card to get this allowance. For more information on Alopecia types, care supplements etc please check here. (https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/hair-loss/#wigs-and-hair-replacement-products).

We also have a fabulous hair salon in Gorey who have a wig and scalp room – Halfords Gorey. You can contact these for a consultation or wig fitting service here (halfordswigandscalpclinic@gmail.com / 089 221 7341).

How to get help with the cost:

• Talk to your care team or GP.

• They will provide details of hair replacement product suppliers in your area and a prescription or letter to bring to your fitting appointment.

• Contact a supplier to make an appointment for a fitting.

• Bring your prescription or letter to your fitting appointment.

• Either you or the supplier can send the prescription and invoice to the HSE.

• When the HSE approves your order, you can collect your products.

If the cost of the wig or hair piece you choose is:

• below or the same as the grant you pay nothing – this is usually the case

• more than the allowance, you pay the extra cost

If you have a mastectomy (surgery to remove a breast):

If you have a mastectomy to treat breast cancer you can get a bra or swimwear insert to replace the breast that has been removed. This is called a breast prosthesis.

From the 1st January 2025 each woman, irrespective of medical card eligibility, is to receive equitable access to the same maximum allowance for post-mastectomy products and hair loss products. New allowance is:

The HSE will help you with the cost of:

• a breast prosthesis

• specialist bras and swimwear

For more information on mastectomy, surgery, different types, recovery etc, please visit here: (https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/mastectomy/#getting-help-with-the-cost).

We also have the amazing Caroline from Carolines Breast Care (https://www.carolinesbreastcare.ie/) who specialises in providing a specialised mastectomy fitting service. You can also find Caroline on social media or contact our office for more information.

Getting cancer treatment abroad:

If your public hospital consultant refers you for treatment that is not available in Ireland you may be able to apply for the Treatment abroad scheme here (https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/)

The scheme is most suitable for:

• public healthcare in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland

• proven forms of medical treatment – not experimental or test treatment

Your cancer team will guide you on this, if they think this is an option for you.

Pay/Caring for someone with cancer:

If you cannot work due to having cancer, you can get more information here (https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/sick-leave-and-sick-pay/)

If you’re caring for someone with cancer, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. Please check here to see how to qualify/apply (https://www.gov.ie/en/service/2432ba-carers-allowance/)

Subsidised parking:

You may be entitled to this, check with your appointed hospital for more information.

Travel2care:

You may be eligible to apply for financial aid through this scheme if your approved cancer center is over 50km from your place of residence. Please follow this link for more information and to apply (https://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/files/2024-09/Travel2Care%20Form%20A.pdf)

Transport service for chemotherapy appointments: Yellow Hearts Cancer Support, Gorey have volunteer transport drivers, please contact Volunteer drivers can transport patients to and from their hospital for chemotherapy appointments. Contact: 01 2310522 or email: transport@irishcancer.ie for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul: You may be eligible to apply for some financial support. Phone: 053 9483720

Web: www.svp.ie

Mortgages and loans:

If you’re facing short-term payment difficulties with your mortgage due to illness and are worried about losing your home, it’s important to reach out to your lender. If you’re unable to do so, contact MABS, the state-funded Money Advice and Budgeting Service. MABS offers a confidential, free, and independent mortgage arrears service, providing expert advice and referrals.

You can call MABS at 0761 07 2000 for independent advice, information, and referrals. If you’re struggling with payments on other loans, MABS can assist with this as well. Simply use the same phone number, or email helpline@mabs.ie for any questions or concerns.

Pensions:

You may be worried about taking a break from paying into a private or occupational pension scheme. For information about your scheme, contact:

• The trustees in an occupational (workplace) pension scheme; and

• The provider in a private scheme.

They will tell you if the scheme allows you to take a break and how this may affect your final pension payout.

The Department of Social Protection can tell you how a break in employment may, or may not, affect your final state pension. See more information on their website at: www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/home.aspx

The above are just a few options available, please reach out to Yellow Hearts Cancer Support, Gorey for more information.

When attending appointments, it can be a good idea to bring a notebook or have a trusted companion accompany you.