Vol. 489 No. 6
407 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to review the Health Amendment Act, 1986, and in particular the section which allows health boards to add charges over and above the normal hospital and medical charges in cases where injuries are as a result of a road traffic accident; and his views on this unfair procedure. [8688/98]
The Deputy will be aware that the Health (Amendment) Act, 1986, enabled charges to be made by health boards for in-patient and out-patient services for persons who received or are entitled to receive damages or compensation in respect of treatment for injuries caused by road traffic accidents. The charges levied are normally the cost of providing the services or the average daily cost to the hospital concerned.
The charges levied by the health boards have been legally challenged and at present are the subject of legal proceedings. It is anticipated that these proceedings will be concluded by the end of the year. In view of this, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me at this stage to comment further.
