Vol. 424 No. 8
181 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange with the Southern Health Board to strike off the sum of £200 which the Southern Health Board seeks from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of her maintenance and treatment in the Tralee General Hospital during the period 25 July, 1992 to 29 August, 1992 due to the fact that she is the holder of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The case to which the Deputy refers relates to a person who was treated in Tralee General Hospital from 25 June to 29 August, 1992.
Persons in receipt of in-patient services for more than thirty days within a twelvemonth 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, except in the case of medical card holders or persons with dependants. In deciding the amount to be contributed health boards have regard to the person's circumstances. Allowance is made for any commitments the person may have, such as rent, and a reasonable amount is left to the person to meet personal needs. A person who has been a medical card holder while living in the community does not automatically retain that status if being maintained in an institution where he/she is being provided with all necessary medical and surgical services on a long-stay basis.
I have asked the Southern Health Board to examine this case to ensure that the charge made was in accordance with the Regulations. I should mention that a comprehensive review of these charges and their application is at present being carried out in my Department, and I will consider whether changes in the Regulations are desirable when the review has been completed.
