asked the Minister for Health whether a widow (details supplied) is the holder of a general medical services card; if so, the statutory or other authority whereunder Dublin Health Authority charges her £3 10s. per week in respect of hospitalisation out of a British war widow's pension of £5 15s. weekly; and if in view of the frequency of her admissions to hospital the charge will be cancelled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospitalisation Charge.
30.
Mr. O'Malley
I have ascertained from the health authority that the lady is the holder of a medical card. When she was in hospital in August-September last, no charge for maintenance was made.
She has been in St. Kevin's on two occasions since, for 46 days in November-January and again since 19th April last. As, in respect of these periods, she is regarded by the health authority as being in receipt of institutional services, that is, shelter and maintenance, and not hospital services, they are charging her £3 10s. a week. They can make such a charge by virtue of the provisions of the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965 (S.I. No. 177 of 1965).
I am asking the health authority to review their decision as to classification in relation to the two last-mentioned periods.
She was not getting any medical treatment then?
Mr. O'Malley
No. I suppose she would get it if otherwise classified.
Surely that is a trick used by certain health authorities for the purposes of charging people who would not otherwise be chargeable?
Mr. O'Malley
I do not think that, in the main, health authorities are using tricks such as the Deputy suggests.
Is the Minister aware that certain health authorities regard those old people as going in for shelter and maintenance when in fact they are usually sent from hospitals who do not want to keep people who are old and they are sent for medical treatment to county homes?
Mr. O'Malley
We have not come across any such cases.
Will the Minister deal with them if he does?
Mr. O'Malley
If we do.