asked the Minister for Health whether it has been brought to his attention that an old age pensioner (name supplied) who is an IRA veteran aged 80 years, who is totally blind in one eye and almost blind in the other, and who is the holder of a medical card and entitled to all the benefits of the Social Welfare and Health Acts, was charged for maintenance in a hospital within the area of his health authority, and was charged a fee by the surgeon who operated on him, although he produced his medical card to both the hospital and surgeon; and if he will inquire into this case with a view to preventing a repetition of this type of occurrence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charge for Hospital Maintenance.
24.
I had not previously heard of this case. Under the health Acts, a person in the lower income group is entitled, free of charge, to hospital and specialist services provided directly by the health authority or by arrangement with voluntary hospitals. Where, as in this case, the patient makes arrangements without reference to the health authority for treatment in a private hospital he forgoes the right to free treatment.
I am asking Cork Health Authority to look into this case to see whether anything can be done to help the patient.