How's this for a dilemma: your husband has a life-threatening heart condition, he's had seven life-threatening episodes in the last fifteen months but his condition can be treated with surgery. The trouble is, the surgery costs around €20,000. That's if you go private, which would mean your husband could get treated within a few weeks. Alternatively, you could take your place in the public queue, where you may be waiting up to two years, despite the fact that even one more episode could cost your husband his life.
This is the stark choice facing Breda from Sligo, who called Liveline yesterday to highlight her husband's – and all those on waiting lists – plight. Breda was back on with Joe Duffy today to hear how another caller, Helen, was generously donating €700 to a fund to help get her husband Éamon the treatment he needs. Helen lost her own husband last New Year's Eve. She told a grateful Breda that she knows what the pain is like.
"Money is nothing when it comes down to somebody's life."
Jeffrey – also from Sligo – rang in to share his experience. He suffered from the same condition as Breda's husband, but he – unlike Breda and Éamon – has private health insurance and he was able to get the surgery Éamon needs without having to wait up to two years.
"I was in with Brendan on a Monday and he carried the operation out three weeks later."
Unfortunately Breda and Éamon had to let their health insurance lapse during the recession, as they couldn't afford to keep paying the premiums. Callers were not shy coming forward with suggestions for Breda, but she's done her research and most of what was suggested could be ruled out on the spot. Another caller, Joseph, rang to make a donation, leaving poor Breda shocked but very grateful.
To listen back to Breda’s story from Liveline, click here.