Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1969

Vol. 242 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Patient.

8.

asked the Minister for Health why his Department in approving of maintenance contribution arrangements for a home (details supplied) in County Westmeath limited the period for which a health authority may pay to six weeks; and what is the position of an elderly invalided person who was admitted to such home with the knowledge of a health authority, who has not sufficient means to pay for maintenance in the home on the expiration of six weeks and has not a home of his own to which to return.

Contributions towards the cost of maintenance of geriatric patients in homes such as the Sacred Heart Home, Ballinderry, Mullingar, are restricted to six weeks as such patients enter these homes at their own choice and either are not eligible for or do not avail of the accommodation provided by the appropriate health authority. The period of six weeks may be extended at the discretion of the health authority.

In the case mentioned by the Deputy, the appropriate health authority would normally be responsible for the provision of accommodation although not necessarily in homes such as the Sacred Heart Home.

Do I understand that the Dublin Health Authority, in the case in question, has a discretion to extend the period? If so, is there any limit to the period which the Dublin Health Authority may grant?

I am not absolutely certain about the limit of the period but it can be extended from six weeks at the discretion of the health authority. I think it lies within the discretion of the health authority.

In the cases in question, one of the persons involved entered as a hospitalised patient and not as a geriatric patient. In such cases, is it possible to have the stay extended indefinitely?

It would be for the health authority to say whether there might be alternative accommodation for such a patient. The whole question is one where the costs are comparatively high. It is within the discretion of the health authority to decide what is the financial position of patients and to what extent they ought to be asked to pay. If they are unable to pay, there are generally alternative homes to which they can go.

Top
Share