asked the Minister for Health what persons are entitled to free treatment, including that related to tetanus injections, in out-patients departments of local authority hospitals; if such treatment includes the removal of stitches and a follow-up of tetanus injections; and if it is in order to require a patient who received initial treatment in an out-patients department after an accident to go elsewhere for the removal of stitches and a second tetanus injection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Out-Patient Treatment.
9.
The answer to the first part of the question is—members of the lower income group and their dependants. In practice, however, accident victims generally are treated free of charge on an out-patient basis. As regards follow-up treatment, my information is that, while it would be unusual to insist that the patient should go elsewhere for the removal of stitches, this may happen in the case of injuries which are not serious. In regard to a second tetanus injection which would be given after an interval of six weeks it would be reasonable to ask the patient to attend his family doctor rather than return to the hospital for the injection. If the Deputy will send me particulars of the case he has in mind I will look into it and let him know the result.