Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

227 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the benefits a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will be entitled to in view of the difference between the cover provided by VHI and the actual cost of radium treatment. [5824/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991, everyone, regardless of income is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges, from which medical card holders are exempt. At present these charges are set at £25 per night, subject to a maximum of £250 in any 12 month period, in respect of in-patient public hospital services. Any patient who is formally admitted to a bed which has been designated as a public day bed, is regarded as an in-patient of the hospital and is therefore liable for the £25 in-patient charge, unless otherwise exempt. Non-medical card holders are entitled to public out-patient services free of charge.

Alternatively, one can opt to be the private patient of both the consultant and the hospital. Private patients are liable for the appropriate accommodation charges and consultants' fees in addition to the statutory charges. All persons who opt for private treatment are liable for any expenses they incur and neither the Department of Health and Children nor the health board is in a position to provide financial assistance towards these costs. I would also like to mention that it is possible to obtain tax relief on unreimbursed medical expenses. The person concerned should contact his local tax office in this regard.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

228 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting list for hip operations in Cappagh hospital, Dublin 11; and when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 will be called for an operation. [5825/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthopaedic treatment in this case, in the first instance, is a matter for Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital. I have therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the hospital to investigate this case and reply directly to the Deputy. As at 31 December 1998, the latest date for which data is available, there were 384 public patients awaiting over three months for hip operations at Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital.