A Cork family that took out a €37,500 bank loan to pay for their little boy’s operation has slammed the HSE for reneging on an agreement to pay for the surgery.
Two-year-old Josh Butler, who is deaf, is in Verona today, ahead of his scheduled auditory brain stem implant surgery tomorrow. The pioneering surgery is the child’s only chance to hear and will be carried out by retiring surgeon Vittorio Colletti.
The treatment is not, however, available in public hospitals, an issue that has allegedly resulted in the HSE withdrawing a €70,000 funding pledge because the Treatment Abroad Scheme does not pay for procedures at private clinics.
A HSE spokesperson said: “The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) does not generally provide for treatment in a private facility if the service is available in a public hospital,”
Josh’s mum, Chloe, from Midleton in Co. Cork has campaigned for her son’s treatment for over a year, finally securing the appointment that could change her boy’s life forever. After the family were let down by the HSE, her own mother Celine Walsh stepped in, taking a €37, 500 bank loan to ensure the operation goes ahead.
The family have “no idea” where they are going to find the same amount of money to cover the other half of the cost, due after the operation.
Celine told The Irish Sun:
“This operation will change Josh’s life for the better — not only can he not hear, because he has no nerves in his ears, he also cannot walk because his balance is affected.
“You do everything you can for your children and grandchildren.”
