Patients not covered by medical cards who receive abortion services will have to pay for the cost of pain relief drugs and antibiotics under draft proposals for a new model of care. The draft document, dated December 14th, says that while termination of pregnancy services will be provided universally free of charge, those without medical cards will have to pay for drug costs and those with the card will be subject to a prescription charge. ‘Due respect’It says an employee may disclose their conscientious objection verbally or in writing. The service will be provided by general practitioners and maternity hospitals and will be clarified in the coming days.”The group includes Cork University Maternity Hospital, Kerry General Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital and University Hospital Waterford. A spokesman for five maternity units – including University Hospital Galway, Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital – said the hospitals were working with the HSE.

Source: The Irish Times December 15, 2018 00:45 UTC