asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the eligibility criteria to obtain a hospital services card.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services Card.
73.
A person whose income in the year ended 5 April 1989 was less than £16,000 is entitled to a hospital services card for the period 1 June 1989 to 31 May 1990.
A person's hospital services card also covers his or her spouse, and any other dependants, provided that the spouse does not have a separate income.
Where a married couple have separate incomes, each is assessed separately. Where one parent qualifies for the hospital services card but the other is above the income limit, children under 16 will normally be regarded as dependants of the higher income, earner and will not, therefore, be eligible for the hospital services card.
Where dependants are aged between 16 and 25 years, e.g. students a hospital services card may be awarded without reference to parents' income.
Hospital services cards may be awarded to persons who exceed the income limit if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, they would not be able to arrange consultant services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.