Money... or your life

DONNA WALSH

WAITING GAME: Paul Campbell says prescription charges and GP bills have made his family's life unbearable.

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Paul Campbell is battling renal failure and a tight budget. The Hamilton man tells Maryanne Twentyman how even a $3 prescription fee can be too much.

There have been times during Paul Campbell's illness that he has put his family's needs ahead of his own health.

"I have had to put off going to the doctor or getting prescriptions because I've had a power bill to pay or food to put on the table," Mr Campbell said.

The 48-year-old has been battling renal failure, diabetes, nerve damage and loss of vision for nine years and is well aware of his prognosis.

"My prognosis is death – it's a waiting game, when my kidneys give up that will be it," he said.

Mr Campbell receives a government benefit and after paying rent for his Housing New Zealand property is left with $126 a week.

"Power is excessive and I have the power company wanting $55 a week from me and then, because of my diabetes, our food bills are big because I need special foods and lean cuts. So our food bill for my partner, daughter and me is about $140 a week."

Mr Campbell says that is why there is nothing left for costs, such as medical bills, over and above essential items.

"It is a struggle. Our outgoings far exceed what we get in," he said.

Mr Campbell has been on a waiting list for a kidney transplant for eight years but doubts he will ever get one because he is a long-term diabetic.

The Chartwell man moved to Hamilton from Putaruru with his partner, Julie, and daughter, Cheyanne, 10, last year so he could be closer to Waikato Hospital where he has three five-hour, life-saving dialysis treatments every week.

But increasing medical costs are taking their toll and Mr Campbell said he felt compelled to contact the Waikato Times after Tuesday's story about the number of patients unable to afford medical bills including prescriptions.

Results from research show more than 6 per cent of 18,000 people surveyed had put off filling a prescription for financial reasons at least once a year. That proportion jumped to 15 per cent for Pacific people and 14 per cent for Maori. Researchers want the Government to look at reducing the cost each patient pays for a prescription.

"Even at $3 per medication that all adds up," Mr Campbell said. "I have had bills of $60 and sometimes you have to weigh those costs up against other bills that meet the whole family's needs."

Mr Campbell has gone without medication, to the detriment of his health.

"I had a thyroid gland removed and needed antibiotics for an infection but couldn't afford to get them and ended up with complications – so there are risks involved," he said.

There were many people in his situation, particularly his peers in the renal failure unit.

"Everybody that I talk too has the same problem as me, they can't afford to have medication and skip the doctor because they can't afford it."

Mr Campbell wished the hospital would have renal specialists on hand.

"When I first started dialysis there was always a specialist doctor on hand. They would treat us and prescribe medicine, it was all done through the hospital which was a far cheaper option."

Now things had changed, he said.

"Every time we need medication we have to go back to GPs and line up at more pharmacies retelling our history. It's not ideal given the stage we are at in life."

- © Fairfax NZ News