Vol. 411 No. 1
501 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the rules for charging patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals, indicating in particular the charges that arise after a certain period of stay; and whether any special charges apply where there is more than one spell of short term care within a 12-month period.
Persons in receipt of in-patient services for more than 30 days within a 12-month period may be liable for charges under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1987.
The amount of the charge is not fixed but is based upon the patient's income. The regulations specify that an adequate amount must be left to the patient for personal needs. The amount concerned is determined by the chief executive officer of the health board, taking into account the patient's financial commitments and any other relevant circumstances.
Under the terms of the regulations, a patient may incur liability for charges once 30 days are exceeded in any 12-month period, irrespective of whether this arises from one admission or a number of admissions.
The Deputy will recall that on 30 May 1991 I informed the Dáil that I proposed to have a review carried out of these regulations. This review is in progress at present.
