To: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) Irish Minister for health
Campaign for Free AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) Screening in Ireland
Make AAA Screening Aavailable on the Medical Card in Ireland
Why is this important?
AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) is a dangerous, often symptomless, swelling in the main blood vessel (aorta) of the abdomen, primarily affecting men over 60–65.
If the aorta weakens and bursts, it is frequently fatal, making early detection via a simple ultrasound screening crucial.
In the UK the National Health Service (NHS) All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound screening the year they turn 65 free of charge covered by the NHS
In Ireland you have to arrange an AAA Ultrasound screening privately it is not automatically covered on the Medical Card service. In certain circumstances a GP could arrange one on the medical card if the GP deems it to be carried out but it is not done/checked as standard.
One Private Provider of AAA screening in Ireland offers it at €170 with a discount for Medical Card Holders at €150 but prices do vary greatly depending on where you have the test carried out and can be more expensive.
To find out more details of AAA visit wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm
To read about what the NHS UK offers to the general public read here:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/
If the aorta weakens and bursts, it is frequently fatal, making early detection via a simple ultrasound screening crucial.
In the UK the National Health Service (NHS) All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound screening the year they turn 65 free of charge covered by the NHS
In Ireland you have to arrange an AAA Ultrasound screening privately it is not automatically covered on the Medical Card service. In certain circumstances a GP could arrange one on the medical card if the GP deems it to be carried out but it is not done/checked as standard.
One Private Provider of AAA screening in Ireland offers it at €170 with a discount for Medical Card Holders at €150 but prices do vary greatly depending on where you have the test carried out and can be more expensive.
To find out more details of AAA visit wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm
To read about what the NHS UK offers to the general public read here:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/
How it will be delivered
by email to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) Irish Minister for health