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cost of warfarin blood test

  • 12-06-2014 10:01pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61
    ✭✭


    For medical card patients needing regular blood tests for warfarin prescription costs is 45 euro in local gp surgery,but same test in the private hospital The Blackrock Clinic is 25 euro!.
    Why should often elderly patients pay above the odds for a supposedly free public service when a free bus trip will get them the same service in an upmarket Clinic?


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Comments

  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 The_Conductor
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I get it done free in the public warfarin clinic- I normally get them to do a few other tests (FBC etc) at the same time. Sure, you have to queue- but its free.

    If you want to pay in a posh clinic- no-one is going to stop you paying- but there are free options available to you.

    I have full VHI etc- it doesn't stop me from using the free clinic..........

    Ps- many GPs don't want to do blood tests unless they have to- which is partly why they charge so much. They have to run them down to the lab themselves- its a pain in the arse logistically for them.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,110 Dizzyblonde
    CMod ✭✭✭✭


    My mother attends the warfarin clinic in Beaumont and it's completely free. It's a wonderful service and she's usually in and out in less than half an hour. She sees the same nurse every time - a nurse who will pass on any questions or worries to her consultant, and who phones her the same afternoon with her results and advises on whether or not she needs to adjust her dosage. As far as I know they even provide a hot meal for anyone who wants it and that's free too.
    If she hasn't got a lift, she's registered with Vantastic and they'll bring her to and from the hospital for €5.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,127 Gael23
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    I always thought there were public warfarin clinics that did this free of charge.
    If she doesn't have a medical card, the most she should have to pay is €25 or so to see the Nurse at her GP surgery


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 The_Conductor
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    ryanf1 wrote: »
    I always thought there were public warfarin clinics that did this free of charge.
    If she doesn't have a medical card, the most she should have to pay is €25 or so to see the Nurse at her GP surgery

    There are public warfarin clinics- open to anyone- free of charge (you will need to be referred by your GP- and have an appointment etc- you don't just turn up).

    Many GPs don't have nurses anymore- and many genuinely don't really want to do more bloods than they need to- as they have to run them to the lab etc- which depending on where their surgeries are, can be annoying.

    My public health nurse was telling me about a little DIY INR kit (like a blood glucose meter) that you can get. Its quite expensive (800-900 apparently) and it uses strips like a BGM does (obviously special ones) which your pharmacy has to order in. Ask about it. A pin prick in the finger versus the hassle of going to the GP or the warfarin clinic- might be worthwhile......?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,605 gctest50
    ✭✭✭


    Might be better/cheaper out there
    inc VAT £358.80

    https://shop.coaguchek.com/buy


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 locum-motion
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    Don't forget the >€100 per box of test strips!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,605 gctest50
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    For sure , but 24 strips would last a while at one test per week ?


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 The_Conductor
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Why are the strips so damn expensive?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,605 gctest50
    ✭✭✭


    Need to make their R&D money back and a nice healthy bit of profit i suppose - they're not in the game for the craic ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 locum-motion
    ✭✭✭


    gctest50 wrote: »
    For sure , but 24 strips would last a while at one test per week ?

    At a very rough guess, I'd say ... ooooooh ... about 24 weeks or so!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 285 Dermoth
    ✭✭


    I have the Coaguchek and I highly recommend it. The strips look expensive when you have to buy together but I think it works out at about a fiver a test. It's a great option if you travel of getting to a clinic/gp is an issue. I call the results into my GP and they let me know what to adjust my dose to.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 The_Conductor
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Have to ask Locum-motion if the machine is covered under medical appliances........?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 locum-motion
    ✭✭✭


    Have to ask Locum-motion if the machine is covered under medical appliances........?


    Nope. Neither the machine nor the strips will be covered by the HSE.


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