Vol. 497 No. 2
257 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the charges for attendance at hospital at casualty, in the public ward bed in an acute hospital, in a private bed and in a semi-private bed are being changed in the context of the Estimates; and the levels which will apply in 1999. [24868/98]
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently announced an increase of 9 per cent in charges in respect of private and semi-private rooms in public hospitals. This increase will come into effect from 1 January 1999. The increase was decided upon in the context of the Estimates. The new levels for 1999 are set out in the following table. I do not propose at present to increase the statutory charge in respect of in-patient public hospital services which is currently set at £25 per day and subject to a maximum of £250 in any 12 month period or the £20 charge for attendance at an accident and emergency department.
Charges in Public Hospitals*
Revised charges per day as from 1 January 1999.
|
Hospital Category |
Private Accommodation |
Semi-private Accommodation |
Day care |
|
Health board regional hospitalsVoluntary and joint board teaching hospitals |
£171 (£157) |
£134 (£123) |
£122 (£112) |
|
Health board county hospitalsVoluntary non-teaching hospitals |
£141 (£129) |
£114 (£105) |
£102 (£94) |
|
Health board district hospitals |
£88 (£81) |
£76 (£70) |
£65 (£60) |
