Vol. 405 No. 3
294 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the situation in the Southern Health Board whereby representatives from the health board are calling to former patients' houses demanding payment for hospital charges; and if he will outline his views on this line of action.
Hospital in-patient and outpatient charges play a vital role in the funding of health board and voluntary hospitals. Income from this source in the current year is estimated at £13.5 million. Medical card holders and certain other special categories are exempted from hospital charges so that, in effect, they are levied only on those who are deemed to have ability to pay. In view of this, hospitals and health boards try to ensure that all those who are liable for the payment of hospital charges do so. However, I am assured by the Southern Health Board that nobody on their staff or acting on their behalf calls to the homes of former patients seeking payment of outstanding hospital charges.
