asked the Minister for Health why his Department do not refund to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, the cost of laboratory tests for cervical smear testing for private patients, as is done in the case of other hospitals.
72.
Written Answers. - Laboratory Tests Costs.
71.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that his Department do not make a refund to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, towards the cost of laboratory tests for cervical smear testing for patients not covered under the general medical service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
Laboratory tests of cervical smears are provided free of charge at Portiuncula Hospital for women who are eligible for free hospital services under the 1970 Health Act. Other women attending the hospital are charged for these tests as private patients.
The responsibility of providing a service for these tests in this area rests with the Western Health Board. If the board—who have a comprehensive service available without charge to all women at the Regional Hospital, Galway—wishes to extend the arrangement at Portiuncula, in agreement with that hospital, I will be prepared to consider this.