(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that charges of £65 to £124 per day or for any part of a day which are made by a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin to persons involved in road accidents and who attend its casualty department for medical attention are justified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Casualty Department Charges.
20.
Liability for the cost of hospital services in road traffic accident cases is regulated by article 6 (3) of the Health Services Regulations, 1971. Under these regulations persons who require treatment for injuries received in a road traffic accident are not entitled to avail of hospital services under sections 52 or 56 (2) of the Health Act, 1970, except where it is established to the satisfaction of the chief executive officer of the health board that the applicant for such services has not received or is not entitled to receive damages or compensation in the nature of damages, from another person in respect of the injuries.
In cases where the compensation awarded is small in relation to the hospital bill, the chief executive officer of the health board may at his discretion use the hardship provision in section 46 (8) of the Health Act, 1970, and accept liability for the hospital expenses or, where appropriate, a proportion of these expenses.
The charges made by the hospital for its in-patient and casualty service to road traffic accident patients are a basic estimated economic cost based on the hospital's annual revenue costs.
Would the Minister accept that many people with trivial injuries are obliged to seek litigation in order to pay small hospital accounts because of these regulations? Would he look into the matter?
I will indeed, yes.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order paper.