Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

165 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether (1) it is appropriate that a patient admitted to hospital at 11.50 p.m. on one day and discharged at 11.40 a.m. on the following day, therefore spending less than 12 hours in the hospital, should be required to pay the in-patient charge for two days and (2) it is reasonable to charge the full daily rate where the patient has spent only ten minutes of a day in the hospital; if he will amend the regulations to provide that the daily rate will apply only if the patient has spent at least half of a given day in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell):

The Regulations governing the statutory in-patient charge specify that the charge is payable in respect of each day or part of a day. A patient admitted and discharged at the times given in the question would therefore be liable to pay the charge in respect of both days. I should stress that this applies only to the statutory charge, currently £15, which represents only a small part of the cost of providing hospital services. Maintenance charges for private and semi-private accommodation are based on the number of nights spent in the hospital.

I am aware that this aspect of the Regulations has been of concern to patients, and I am prepared to examine whether there is any alternative approach which would be more satisfactory. I will consider the Deputy's suggestion in that context. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that I would have to ensure that any alternative approach did not cause a reduction in the revenue available for the provision of hospital services.