andMrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health in relation to each of the health board areas whether the £5 casualty fee is at present in operation.
Written Answers. - Casualty Fee.
699.
A charge of £5 is at present made for certain attendances at casualty departments of health board hospitals in the western, north-western and midland health board areas. In each case the decision to make a charge was approved by the health board concerned. The attendances for which this charge is made are those which could appropriately be dealt with by a general practitioner. They exclude persons referred by registered medical practitioners, and accident and emergency cases.