Image Copyright: Chrissie de Vos
We live rural in the North West of Ireland and in our experience we have found the health care to be exceptional, having said that it is my opinion that living in a less populated area does effect the waiting times of been seen to. I have read from other members in various other areas that they had been waiting over a year after being referred on to specialist treatment. I thankfully have so far always experienced prompt assistance and care.
We have made use of health services while being under state care with neither medical card or no private health insurance.
My 14yr old required a small procedure on his foot to be done in hospital, within a month after GP referral to Sligo University hospital we got an appointment for the specialist consult at the hospital and the procedure was done shortly thereafter. It was a day procedure, on arrival to the hospital we were welcomed and treated so well by the nursing staff. After the check-in was done we were seated in a waiting area for about 30 minutes until we were called into the procedure room, I was allowed to accompany my child. After the procedure we were seated in the recovery area to ensure there were no complications after the procedure. They brought us tea/juice and biscuits. We were allowed to go home after about an hour. The next day we were contacted by the community nurse who came to the house to change the dressings and check on the wound. Thereafter we went twice to the Community Health Care Clinic for a dressing change. There was no cost, we were on the medical card.
My 16yr old was having a difficult time adjusting after the move and was referred by our GP to the children's mental health clinic, we received an appointment within 3 days to see a panel of child specialists who conducted extensive interviews with us and my child. Everything was dealt with very promptly and professionally and a treatment plan established. There was no cost, we were on the medical card.
I have also needed to go to the gynae, was referred by the GP and had an appointment after just over a month's wait. This has twice been the case now and follow up appointments have been prompt.
On New Years day 2020 I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, dropping dead on the spot!!!
Thankfully my family provided CPR, two ambulances arrived at the house in 21 minutes. According to my family the emergency response team was phenomenal, they shocked me, got my heart going again and stabilised me before taking me to Sligo University Hospital. I was in the cardiac ICU for about a week, I do not have much recollection of this time but services and staff were outstanding. I was then moved to the cardiac ward where I stayed for another two weeks. During this time I was taken by ambulance two or three times to St James in Dublin to undergo further testing and scans and for a pacemaker/ICD to be implanted.
After being discharged from hospital I had the choice of going to cardiac rehabilitation, I have regular visits/checkup at the cardiologist, I get phone calls from the cardiology department every few months to check in, 6 monthly check-ups on my pacemaker/ICD. On my last visit I was offered a home unit for my pacemaker/ICD which will allow remote reading of the device. There has been assistance and support every step of the way and I truly believe I owe my life to the medical team who attended to me. Expenses were capped at €800 and I will receive ongoing specialist and device care for life at no further cost to us.
While some of the hospitals are big and fancy, looking more like hotels when you enter the lobby; others are old and not so pretty, but all are clean, well cared for and I would trust them with my life in any of them.
Ireland has accepted us and welcomed us with open arms. As time goes on I fall more and more in love with this beautiful country and its people. I am so very grateful for everything this wonderful country has and continues to do for us.
Also, as a last note... this may not be a hard and fast rule but I also believe your own attitude goes a long way in how you experience things.
Important links:
We have asked our members to share anonymously, their personal experiences of the Irish medical system. The medical system here is very different to SA and may for some be a major part of their move and how their current or furture health issues may be handled.
Some vital reading on this topic HERE:
Medical in Ireland - Medical in Ireland, how it works, where to get assistance, Maternity and Private medical
Habitual Residence, Means Testing, Benefits, Permanent residency and Naturalisation - What is Habitual Residence, Means Testing, Benefits, Permanent residency and Naturalisation
Irish Heart foundation
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
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