asked the Minister for Health the guidelines in the collection of inpatient and outpatient charges which have been issued to hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Charges Guidelines.
226.
The guidelines issued by my Department set out in detail the services for which charges are to be levied under the inpatient and outpatient regulations, together with the categories of persons and the circumstances in which persons are not liable for a charge. The guidelines were issued some time before the introduction of the charges in order to ensure that providers of inpatient and outpatient services and the general public would be fully aware of an individual's liability under the regulations. In relation to the collection of charges the guidelines provide that as far as possible the charges should be made at the time of receipt of services or on discharge from hospital as appropriate.
I have made it quite clear on a number of occasions that the introduction of charges would not affect the long standing tradition in our hospitals where persons in need of emergency treatment would continue to receive such treatment.
As the Deputy is aware the collection of hospital charges is a matter for local management. Nevertheless from the information available to me, I am satisfied that while reasonable efforts must be made to collect the statutory charge, emergency treatment will not be refused where a person does not possess £10 at the time of treatment.