I have had inquiries made of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street concerning this matter. I have been informed that the hospital has not introduced any recent changes to their billing process for services and appliances to children and that bills are currently issued in accordance with my Department's guidelines for in-patient and casualty attendances.
The children's hospital does not receive funding for the procurement of appliances in respect of out-patient prescriptions. I understand however, that, in the past, the children's hospital has made payments for certain orthopaedic appliances and that these were ex-gratia payments on behalf of parents. However, the hospital has also informed me that appliances fitted and supplied through prescription are not the responsibility of the hospital but rather the health board, in the case of medical card holders, or alternatively, the responsibility of the parents of the child to whom the prescription is made. It should be stated that all appliances fitted to children admitted as in-patients remain uncharged.
In cases of hardship, the hospital, in accordance with its charter for the care of children, will continue to make a contribution towards the purchase of appliances where not to do so would interfere with the continuing treatment of the child. Such funding is provided from the hospital's social fund.
