Vol. 396 No. 5
23 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Health if he has contacted any health board who currently use debt collection agencies to collect hospital charges; if he has requested any health board to desist from this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Many categories of patient are exempt from the statutory charges for hospital services, including medical card holders, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to six weeks of age, children receiving treatment for certain long-term conditions, children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school health examinations and persons receiving treatment in respect of prescribed infectious diseases. In addition, the charges can be waived, at the discretion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, if the patient would be unable to pay them without undue hardship.
In order to maintain the highest level of service, it is necessary that those who are obliged to pay, do so.
I am aware that debt collection agencies have been used when all other measures have failed and I have not requested any health board to desist from this practice.
