asked the Minister for Health whether the federation of seven Dublin hospitals will bring about a financial saving for the patients.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Federation of Dublin Hospitals.
7.
The proposed federation between certain Dublin voluntary hospitals would make no difference financially to patients availing themselves of services under the Health Act, 1953.
For persons in the lower income group, that is holders of medical cards and their dependants, services would continue to be provided without any charge to the patient. For persons in the middle-income group, the charge for in-patient treatment will continue, as at present, to be not more than ten shillings per day, depending on the financial circumstances of the patient. Neither will the charges for out-patient specialist services be affected.
In the case of persons admitted under private arrangements, the financial arrangements are made direct between the hospital and the patient. I am not in a position to say how such arrangements might be affected by the proposed amalgamation.
Finally, I should say that the real advantages, which we hope for from the proposed federation, will be the more efficient and better quality service which should result from the fuller development of the various specialities. The ultimate net result, taking into account the probable benefits of large scale organisation, should be a better service at no greater cost than at present.