SOME patients have had to wait up to 24 months for artificial limbs because of a delay in the Southern Health Board sanctioning them. One man has been unable to leave his house for the past four months even though his false leg has been ready since February.
The National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire said it had had problems getting paid for limbs and now insisted the relevant health board had sanctioned them before patients received their artificial limbs.
Mr Liam O'Byrne, secretary manager of the centre, said health boards had refused to pay for limbs they had not sanctioned and now they were not providing them without a guarantee from the boards.
He added that the Southern Health Board was a little slower than the others in providing sanction.
Mr Walter McCarthy, a 72-year-old widower who lives alone in Shandon Street, said he was fitted for his new limb in February but was told he could not have it until the board sanctioned it.
"I have been a prisoner here since. I was not even able to get out to vote. The old limb is too loose and it's dangerous for me to try to use it," he said. He lost his leg five years ago.
A Southern Health Board member, Mr Con O'Leary, who raised the issue, said the Department of Health funded the rehabilitation centre and provided the money to the health board to pay for the limbs.
"I understand up to 20 people are waiting for limbs in Cork alone. The funds are coming from the Department ultimately, so forcing patients to wait, often in pain, for these limbs is unnecessary."
A statement from the Southern Health Board said there were 79 people waiting for between three and 24 months for limb prosthesis. Their annual budget for limb fitting was £127,000 and an additional £60,000 had been used to reduce the waiting list this year.
The board has applied to the Department of Health for further assistance for appliances.