This booklet has been compiled by County Louth Citizens Information Service.

Introduction This booklet has been compiled by County Louth Citizens Information Service. Over the years Citizens Information Centres have dealt with queries regarding supports available to Cancer patients and their families. Our aim is to provide cancer patients and their families with a guide to the entitlements and supports available to them in the Louth Area. We hope that you find this information helpful. County Louth Citizens Information Service is funded and supported by Citizens Information Board. 0

Contents: Charitable Foundations Marie Keating Foundation 2 Irish Cancer Society 3 Gary Kelly Support Centre 5 Cara Cancer Support Centre 6 Wig Fitting Service 7 Home Care and Palliative Care Services Drogheda Hospice Homecare 8 Ardee Hospice Homecare 9 North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation 10 Specialist Palliative Care Service 15 Medical Oncology & Haematology Services 16 Breast Check 18 Palliative Care Beds in Community Hospitals 18 HSE Support Medical Card 19 GP Visit Card 22 Long Term Illness Scheme 23 Hardship/Special Circumstances 23 Social Welfare Payments 24 Disability Payments 25 Supplementary Welfare Allowance 26 Carer Payments 28 Disabled Drivers Parking Permits 33 Useful Contact Details 35 1

Marie Keating Foundation Service is for both Men and Women. All Cancers Tel: (01) 628 3726 Website: www.mariekeating.ie Support Services: The Comfort Fund The Foundation manages a national Comfort Fund for people experiencing financial difficulty as a result of a cancer diagnosis. A hospital oncology social worker may apply for help from the Foundation's Comfort Fund on behalf of a patient and the assistance, if granted, is provided in a very confidential and discreet way. Living with a cancer diagnosis is a stressful time and it is important to help people through their cancer journey as much as possible; the Comfort Fund is an important part of the service. This fund assists those in financial difficulty as a direct result of their illness. Working in close partnership with the Irish Breast Care Nurses Association, the Foundation provides financial support for practical assistance with child-minding or transport costs, hotel accommodation before or after treatment, or even for a well-deserved weekend break. This service is to help minimise the day to day problems facing people during treatment. 2

Irish Cancer Society All Cancers National Cancer Helpline Freephone: 1800 200 700 (Monday Thursday 9am 7pm and Friday 9am 5pm) Website: www.cancer.ie The Irish Cancer Society s Service offers free, confidential advice, support and information on any question on any cancer. Services include: Help in the community Talking by phone or meeting with another person who has the same type of cancer Help with Financial issues and benefits. Travel2care is help with the cost of travelling for treatment. You need to fill in Form A for assessment and investigation. Your cancer nurse, Medical social worker or any health professional involved in your care need to fill in Form B. You can call the cancer society on 01 231 6643 / 231 6619 or email travel2care@irishcancer.ie for more information. All queries or concerns about cancer can be emailed to the cancer information service at helpline@irishcancer.ie. They also offer financial aid to help families in financial hardship when faced with a cancer 3

diagnosis. This is a limited fund for needy cases, where other non-charitable sources are unable to help. For example, social welfare assistance, the community welfare officer, or community groups. The Irish Cancer Society also offers a Care to Drive service. This provides free transport for patients to and from their chemotherapy treatments using volunteer drivers. You are collected from your home, driven to your appointment and brought back home. To apply for this scheme contact your cancer nurse or medical social worker they will call the national cancer helpline on 1800 200 700. 4

Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre Drogheda Tel: (041) 9805100 Website: www.gkcancersupport.com Mission Statement The mission of the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre is to create a safe and holistic environment. To preserve the dignity and privacy of the person at all times. To provide counselling, information and psychological support for people affected by cancer and those who care for them. The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre offers a supportive environment for people affected by cancer, providing counselling, education, information and support to cancer patients and their families. The centre offers holistic and complimentary therapies. Nowadays these therapies are often regarded as part of standard support for patients with cancer. Centre Hours Monday to Thursday 9.00 am to 5.00pm Late opening Tuesday till 9.00pm Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm Drop in Centre Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 4.30pm Friday 10.00am to 3.30pm The centre is closed on Bank Holidays 5

Cara Cancer Support Centre Tel: 087 3955335 E-mail: info@ccscdundalk.ie Website: www.ccscdundalk.ie Cara Cancer Support Centre is aiming to open a drop in centre in 7 Williamsons Place, Dundalk by December 2013. This drop in centre will supply people from North Louth, South Monaghan, and surrounding areas with a place they can meet others in the same situation as themselves. The centre will also provide support to families and carer s of patients. The centre will deliver on-going talks, workshops and guest speakers. There will also be a wig fitting service, prosthesis service and counselling service (by appointment) provided by the centre. The Cara Cancer Support Centre will provide relaxation, holistic therapies, art creation and much more but especially somewhere people can just drop in to have a cup of tea and a chat. They will hold support groups for patients with different types of cancers to help them and their families share information and experiences with people who've already been through this and have come out the other side. Centre Hours: to be determined. 6

Wig Fitting Service This is provided by Tresses in Newry (048 30267925) and Rapunzels in Kells (046 9293822). See pg37 for further contact details. Please contact the above as they may have a client in your area. Cancer patients who have private medical insurance with VHI will be reimbursed for wigs provided that they have spent over the required minimum threshold. Quinn/ Aviva will cover the cost of one wig per year for cancer patients. Contact your Private Medical Insurance provider for details of what your policy covers you for. Medical Card patients need a prescription, ie. a letter, from either their doctor or their nurse in the oncology department in the hospital. Bring this letter to a health board registered wig supplier and give this letter with your medical card number to them. The shop will organise the payment and supply a wig to the client. Amounts allowed are: 317.50 towards one monofibre wig (two monofibre wigs allowed in the year) or 635.00 towards one human hair wig. Tax Refund is available to all ROI taxpayers who may not be covered with private health insurance and can be claimed using the MED1 form for medical appliances and expenses. 7

DROGHEDA HOSPICE HOME CARE Drogheda Hospice Home Care offers a voluntary driver service, transporting and accompanying patients to hospitals for treatments and appointments. This service relieves the patient of worry and anxiety at a very difficult time in their lives. Others receive home nursing services and specialised equipment such as special mattresses, lifting equipment, beds. Emotional support to family members is another welcome aspect of Drogheda Hospice Home Care. Many patients felt it would be good to have some contact after treatment was finished, so a social get-together is held once a month in The Stables, Bachelors Lane, Drogheda (behind Augustinian Church).Here patients and families are welcome for a cup of tea and a chat, with guest speakers the occasional month. Contact Details: Theresa Kilkenny 087 930 9736 8

ARDEE HOSPICE HOMECARE Tel: 087 2449444 Email: ardeehospice@gmail.com The aim of Ardee Hospice Homecare is to provide support services to those affected by cancer. Ardee Hospice offers a taxi service to hospitals for treatments and appointments. They also offer financial help for people experiencing difficulty as a result of their illness in a confidential and discreet way. Home support can be provided for cancer patients in their own home in consultation with the Public Health Nurse or Palliative Nurse. Motorised High Profiling beds and special mattresses which improve patient comfort along with wheelchairs and most other items that can assist with the care of a cancer patient at home can be provided. Ardee Hospice Homecare is a registered charity founded in 1994. Ardee Hospice consists of 24 volunteers with no paid staff. All donations received provide support for people in Ardee, Tallanstown, Collon, Dunleer and the Drumconrath and Lobinstown area. 9

North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation 6-7 The Rampart Shopping Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth Registered Charity Number: CHY10782 Contact Secretary 086 048 3355 Charity Shop 042 9328533 Cancer Support for All North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation (NLH) was set up in 1992 to provide backup to the HSE in the care and support of CANCER PATIENTS and their families in the North Louth Area. They are a totally voluntary organisation consisting of approximately 150 unpaid volunteers and no paid employees. 10

They have a Board of Trustees and an Executive Committee who look after the day to day running of the organisation. Services Provided For the Community Driver Services Contact 086 3893400 This is generally regarded as one of our most important services. Patients travelling for Cancer treatments to Drogheda or Dublin can be collected from their home by one of our Volunteer Drivers, who will then take them to their treatment destination and return them home after treatment. This is totally free. North Louth Hospice has a roster of approx 90 Volunteer Drivers who between them carry up to 800 patients to their appointments each year. 11

Specialist Homecare Services North Louth Hospice Homecare Services are provided only with the guidance of and requests made by: 1) Public Health Nurses 2) Palliative Care Specialists 3) Doctors Family Support Based strictly on inputs from Public Health Nurses, North Louth Hospice can support families of Cancer patients with vouchers for food, travel, home heating oil (in winter months). They can also arrange Counselling Services and nonmedical therapies where appropriate. Home Support / Carers North Louth Hospice can support nursing services in certain circumstances for Cancer patients in their own home in consultation with the Public Health Nurses. 12

Specialised Equipment Available On the request of the following: a) Dochas b) Palliative Care Teams c) Public Health Nurses They can supply the following equipment: a) Super Soft Medium Dependency Mattresses to assist patients comfort at home in their own bed. b) Motorised High Profiling beds which can be used to improve bed bound Patient Mobility for ease of personal care by those attending to their needs or to simply improve their posture and to ease their discomfort, and help with breathing difficulties. c) Special High Dependency Air Mattresses to aid bed bound patient comfort and to prevent or ease the effects of Pressure Sores, they are used in conjunction with our Motorised High Profiling beds. d) Motorised Arm Chairs which improve patient comfort and independence, along with Wheel Chairs, and most other items that can assist cancer patients` personal care. e) NLH currently have 12 Motorised High Profiling beds and 13 High Dependency Air Mattresses. 13

Night Nursing Support The Irish Cancer Society night nursing care programmes can provide nursing for up to 14 nights. North Louth Hospice can in certain circumstances, upon request from Dochas, extend this service if required beyond their allowable limit of 14 nights. This service must be requested by a member of the Palliative Care Team. Cancer Suppport Group This takes place on the 3 rd Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm 9.30pm, in the Community Offices in Partnership Court, The Ramparts dundalk. Contact Detail: Dolores Conroy 086 1074257 14

IN PATIENT HOSPICE UNIT HOMECARE SERVICES Specialist Palliative Care Service, Louth Dochas Centre Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda Co. Louth Tel: (041) 987 5259 Louth County Hospital, Dundalk There is no inpatient hospice unit in Louth Referrals from Louth Hospital to: Specialist Palliative Care Service Dochas Centre Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda Co. Louth Tel: (041) 987 5259 Also serves South Monaghan 15

Medical Oncology and Haematology Services Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda The current medical oncology and haematology provision is predominantly a day care ou patient assessment, chemotherapy and supportive care service. The presence of on site Medical Oncologists and Consultant Haematologists also linked to Beaumont Hospital have facilitated patients to have their systematic therapy locally. The Service in Drogheda consists of multiple components; the principle service is the day care unit where patients are treated following a diagnosis of cancer and haematological disorders. The outptient service where patients are assessed for the first time and where appropriate follow up care is carried out. A consultation service for both oncology and haematology patients who are admitted to the hospital. A community liason service for patients who have completed their active treatments. The purpose built day care facility opened in June 2008, on average, can accommodate up to 30 patients on a daily basis. All patients treated within the service have access to a wide range of appropriate multidisciplinary care. The dedicated 16

team include Oncology Nurses, Medical Registrars, Consultants, Clinical Nutrition, Social Work, and Pharmacy and Administration Staff all working together to provide medical oncology and haematology care to patients closer to home. For further information on the service please contact: Elizabeth Summersby Clinical Nurse Manager Oncology and Haematology Services Our Ladyof Lourdes Hospital 041 9874684 17

Breast Check BreastCheck is a government funded programme providing breast screening and invites women aged 50 to 64 for a free mammogram on an area-by-area basis every two years. All women are encouraged to take up the invitation to attend their appointment. If you have any concerns regarding appointment please contact BreastCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55 PALLIATIVE CARE BEDS IN COMMUNITY HOSPITALS Available in: Louth County Hospital, Dundalk Specialist palliative care services are provided to patients in all care settings in Co. Louth, including St. Bridget s Psychiatric Hospital, Ardee, St. Mary s, Drumcar and all older persons units and private nursing homes. Co. Louth Tel: (041) 987 5259 18

Medical card The HSE issues medical cards that allow you to have free medical care. Medical cards are means tested. This means you will have to give details of your income and circumstances to make sure you are eligible for the card. Your spouse and children may also be entitled to free medical care. You will have to pay a prescription charge of 2.50 per item up to a maximum of 25.00 per family per month. A medical card entitles you to: Free GP (family doctor) services Free prescribed drugs and medicines Free appliances, e.g. a wig/hairpiece (up to a certain value) every 6 months or colostomy bags, etc. Free inpatient services in a public ward in a public hospital Free outpatient services Free accident and emergency care Free dental services Free eye (optical) services Free ear (aural) services Free maternity and infant care services Free community services, such as public health nurse, transport, home help, chiropodist, etc. Mastectomy patients can also get two bras free in the Jocelyn Pharmacy Dundalk Contact details: 042 9328367 19

A similar service is provided by Almacare by appointment only at the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre in Drogheda. They also offer a mail or telephone ordering service. Contact details: Tel: 01 5240413 Email: info@almacare.ie Medical card holder generally qualifies for one prosthesis every two years and two bras every year. Your Doctor will provide the necessary prescription for these. Other benefits You may also be entitled to other benefits if you have a medical card: Medical card holders pay the Universal Social Charge on their income (except for social welfare and HSE payments), but at a maximum rate of 4%. Free transport to school for your children if you live 3 miles or more from the nearest school Exempt from paying State examination fees in public second-level schools Financial help with buying schoolbooks The above benefits are available from the relevant government department. 20

To qualify for a medical card, you must: Pass a means test Rely totally on social welfare payments, such as: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Deserted Wife s Allowance Disability Allowance One-Parent Family Payment Widows/Widowers Non-Contributory Pension Or Satisfy EU Regulations about EU members receiving medical cards in Ireland Be a child in foster care Be a full-time student aged between 16 and 25 and financially independent. Remember, a cancer diagnosis does NOT automatically entitle you to a medical card. Appliances If you are diagnosed with cancer, you may need various appliances after treatment. For example, wigs/hairpieces after chemotherapy or colostomy bags after bowel cancer surgery. If your mobility becomes a problem, you may need a walking aid or wheelchair for a time. A medical card will cover the cost of these appliances. Do ask your healthcare team for advice about any appliances you may need after treatment. You may be referred to an occupational therapist for assessment. 21

GP visit card A general practitioner (GP) visit card will only allow you to visit your GP free of charge. You will have to pay for drugs, outpatient/inpatient charges and medical appliances yourself. You qualify in the same way as for a medical card except that the income guidelines are much higher. The combined income of you and your spouse if you are under 70 is assessed after tax and prsi and if you and your spouse are over 70 it is assessed before tax and prsi are deducted. Reasonable expenses for childcare, rent/ mortgage and travel to work are also considered and can bring your income within the guidelines. How to apply: Use the same application form as that for a medical card. Applications can be got in your local health centre or Citizens Information Centre Send completed application form with all documentation to: Medical Card Enquiries: Client Registration Unit PO Box 11745 Finglas Dublin 11 Phone: Locall 1890 252 919 22

Long-Term Illness Scheme No Doctors Fees - If you have certain long-term conditions and are not a medical card holder, you can get free drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition. These are provided under the Long-Term Illness Scheme, which is run by the HSE. For more details see: www.citizensinformation.ie How to apply: Fill in an application form from your family doctor (GP), your local health office or Citizens Information Centre.Social welfare payments Hardship/special circumstances GP visit cards/ Medical cards can be issued on hardship grounds, even if your income is above the income guidelines. For example, if you have exceptional and regular Medical treatment or visits to your doctor or hospital due to your cancer. A card may be granted for your whole family or just for you. Make sure you attach copies of all relevant evidence about your circumstances when you apply for the card. If you do not qualify for a medical card you should apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme card. Under this scheme, you and your family spend a maximum of 144 each month on approved prescribed drugs and medicines. You may apply for the scheme from your local HSE office or health centre. 23

How do I know if I am eligible for services provided by the HSE? The most direct way to check your eligibility is to contact your local health centre or the medical social worker in your hospital. You can also contact the HSE office in your area. At present, the HSE is divided into four regions: HSE Dublin North East, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster, HSE South, and HSE West For more information, contact HSE information line: 1850 24 1850 (Monday Saturday; 8am 8pm) Social Welfare Payments Applying for social welfare payments When you are making enquires to the Department of Social Protection regarding any benefits and entitlements, they will ask you for your PPS number. This is your personal public service number, previously known as your PRSI number. You may be entitled to certain payments if you have an illness such as cancer. But remember payments will not be offered automatically to you. It is up to you to apply for them. You or your spouse (wife/husband) can apply separately for benefits, as in some cases you may have individual entitlements. If you or your spouse/partner are already receiving a social welfare payment, you may or may not be entitled to another payment. Contact the medical social worker at your 24

hospital or your local Citizens Information Centre for more advice. What do I need when applying for payments? Depending on the payment you apply for, you may need the following: PPS numbers for yourself, your spouse and your children Proof of where you live Proof of identity Birth certificates for any children you may be claiming for, if you do not have PPS numbers for them Documents to show your income and financial situation. This includes payslips, P45, P35, P60, bank statements, etc. Disability Payments: Illness Benefit This payment is based on PRSI contributions and earnings in the relevant tax year in which you make your claim. In other words if you claim Illness Benefit in 2013 you must have 260 PRSI contributions to qualify for Illness Benefit for a maximum of 2 years. Also it will be based on your earnings for 2011. You must send in an intermediate medical certificate (known as MC 2) each week for as long as you are ill, unless you are told otherwise. You must apply within 7 days of becoming ill. See www.citizensinformation.ie for more details on this payment. 25

Invalidity Pension: This payment is based on PRSI contributions. You must have 260 PRSI paid and 48 of these must be paid or credited in the last tax year before the date of your claim. This is a long term illness payment. If you have been on Illness Benefit for 12 months and you have a long term illness you should apply for this payment. There are extra benefits with this payment. See www.citizensinformation.ie for more details. Disability Allowance: This payment is means tested and is for someone who does not have enough PRSI contributions and who has an illness or disability that is expected to continue for at least a year. See www.citizensinformation.ie for more details on this payment. Supplementary Welfare Allowance If you are sick and do not qualify for Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension, you may be eligible for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA). This also applies if you Have little or no income and cannot provide for yourself and your family. The payment is a basic weekly allowance for eligible people and is means tested. See our website for more details. www.citizensinformation.ie 26

Becoming ill when self-employed. If you are self-employed and become ill and are unable to work, you are generally not entitled to any social insurance based payments. That is unless you have paid the right amount of PRSI contributions (Class A) as selfemployed people normally pay PRSI contributions at class S. Social insurance based payments include Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension. You have the option of applying for a means tested social welfare payment for example, Disability Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowances. You will need to be certified as sick and unfit to work by a doctor to apply 27

Carers If you have any queries about caring for your loved one at home, contact the Carers Association or Care Alliance Ireland. These are national voluntary organisations for family carers. They can give advice and support and advocate on behalf of carers. Carer s Benefit Carer s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who temporarily leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention. You can get Carer's Benefit for a total period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. This may be claimed in a single continuous period or in any number of separate periods up to a total of 104 weeks. However, if you claim Carer's Benefit for less than six consecutive weeks in any given period you must wait for a further six weeks before you can claim Carer's Benefit to care for the same person again. If you are caring for more than one person, you may receive payment for each care recipient for 104 weeks. This may result in the care periods overlapping or running concurrently. How to apply: To apply fill in an application form for Carer s Benefit. This form is also available from your local Social Welfare Office, Citizens Information Centre or from the Carer's Benefit Section. 28

Carer s Allowance Carer s Allowance is a means tested payment if you are on a low income and caring for someone who needs fulltime care and attention. If you qualify for the allowance and are living with the person you are caring for, you will also get a free household benefits package. This includes allowances for gas, electricity, telephone rental and a free television licence and travel pass. You are also entitled to a respite care payment every year. To qualify for Carer s Allowance, you must: Be aged 18 or over Be living with the person you are caring for or can be contacted quickly by a direct system of communication (for example, telephone or alarm) between your home and the home of the person you are caring for Be living in Ireland continuously (habitual resident) Pass a means test Not be full-time self-employed Not be working more than 15 hours a week outside the home Not live in a hospital or nursing home Only limited self-employment is allowed in your home (any earnings will be assessed as means). How to apply: Fill in an application form for Carer s Allowance or contact your local social welfare office or Citizens Information Centre for a copy of the form. 29

Half-Rate Carer s Allowance If you are receiving certain social welfare payments and are providing full-time care and attention to another person, you can keep your main social welfare payment and get a half-rate Carer s Allowance as well. To qualify for Half-Rate Carer s Allowance, you must be in one of the following situations: Already getting Carer s Allowance but also meeting the qualifying criteria for another social welfare payment Changed from another social welfare payment to get Carer s Allowance Caring for someone and being claimed for by a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant Getting a social welfare payment other than Carer s Allowance and caring for someone How to apply: Remember the Half-Rate Carer s Allowance is not a new Scheme and you apply on the standard Carer s Allowance application form. 30

Respite Care Grant The Respite Care Grant is an annual payment made to carer s by the Department of Social Protection. Currently the rate of payment is 1,375 and is not taxable. Carer s can use the grant in whatever way they wish. You can use the grant to pay for respite care if you wish, but you do not have to do so. In June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), the Department of Social Protection pays the grant automatically to carer s getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance from the Department. Only one Respite Care Grant can be paid for each person getting care. The grant is paid to people getting one of the payments mentioned above. It can also be paid to certain other carer s providing full-time care. If you are not getting one of the above payments, you must be: Aged 16 or over Ordinarily resident in the State Caring for the person on a full-time basis 31

Caring for the person for at least six months - this period must include the first Thursday in June. Living with the person being cared for or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication (for example, telephone or alarm). You do not qualify if you are working more than 15 hours per week outside the home, if you are getting an unemployment payment or if you are signing on for unemployment credits. You also do not qualify if you are living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution. If you are caring for more than one person, a grant is paid for each of them. How to apply If you are not getting a carer s payment you should fill in an application for each person you are caring for. Forms are available in your local Citizens Information Centre. 32

Disabled Drivers Parking Permits Disabled Person's Parking Permits or Cards are available to people living in Ireland with certain disabilities and those who are registered blind, whether they are drivers or passengers. The parking card can be used by a disabled person in any vehicle in which he or she is travelling. This means that if you are being driven at different times by different people, you can bring the parking card with you and display it in the appropriate vehicle. The parking card is valid for 2 years from date of issue. Remember the scheme applies to public car parking areas only, but it also helps the likes of private car parks and supermarkets to better control parking in areas designated for people with disabilities. How to apply: To get an application form for a parking card, write to either The Disabled Drivers Association or the Irish Wheelchair Association, enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope Contact details: Disabled Drivers Association Parking Card Section Ballindine Claremorris Mayo Tel: 094 936 4054 Email: info@ddai.ie Website: www.ddai.ie 33

Irish Wheelchair Association National Mobility Centre Ballinagappa Road Clane Kildare Tel: 045 893094/5 Email: maats@iwa.ie Website: www.iwa.ie 34

Useful Contact Details Dundalk Citizens Information Centre 0761 07 5950 www.citizensinformation.ie Drogheda Citizens Information Centre 0761 07 5940 www.citizensinformation.ie Dochas Centre Drogheda 041 9875259 Specialist Palliative Care Service, Louth 041 987 5259 Marie Keating Foundation 01 628 3726 www.mariekeating.ie Irish Cancer Society 1800 200 700 www.cancer.ie travel2care@irishcancer.ie helpline@irishcancer.ie Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, Drogheda 041 980 5100 www.gkcancersupport.com 35

Cara Cancer Support Centre 087 3955335 info@ccscdundalk.ie www.ccscdundalk.ie North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation Secretary: 086 048 3355 Charity Shop: 042 9328533 www.northlouthhospice.ie Ardee Hospice Homecare 087 2449444 ardeehospice@gmail.com Medical Card Enquiries Locall 1890 252 919 www.hse.ie Jocelyn Pharmacy (Breast Cancer Patients for Bra service) 042 9328367 Almacare (Bra and prosthesis Service) 01 5240413 Disabled Drivers Association 094 936 4054 www.ddai.ie Irish Wheelchair Association 045 893094/5 www.iwa.ie 36

HSE Infoline: 1850 24 1850 (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm) Tresses Newry (Wig Service) 048 30267925 Open every day 09.30-17.00 34 Water St, Newry, Co. Down BT34 1DJ Cinic on Mondays at: The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre Drogheda www.wigs-ireland.ie tresses8m@hotmail.com Rapunzels Kells (Wig Service) 046 9293822 Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (10a.m. to 5p.m.) or Wednesdays (10am-1pm) at: Rapunzels, Cross Street, Kells, Co. Meath Clinic on Mondays (10a.m. to 2p.m.) at: The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre Drogheda www.wigsbyrapunzels.ie annemanuel@eircom.net 37

Contact Details for Local Citizen Information Centres: Dundalk CIC: 4 Adelphi Court, Long Walk, Dundalk Tel: 0761 07 5950 Fax: 042 9352332 Email: dundalk@citinfo.ie Opening Hours: 9.30 12.00; 2.00 4.00; Mon - Fri Drogheda CIC: 1 Mayoralty Street, Drogheda Tel: 0761 07 5940 Fax: 041 9834222 Email: drogheda@citinfo.ie Opening Hours: 9.30 12.00; 2.00 4.00; Mon - Fri Ardee CIC: North Eastern Health Board Clinic Ardee Co. Louth Opening Hours: Thu 4pm-5pm Citizens Information National Phone Service Monday to Friday 9.00am -8.00pm Tel: 0761 07 4000 38