Vol. 542 No. 5
347 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if private patients are charged up to £50 for mammography in some health board regions; if so, the health boards which have this charge; the reason there is such a variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/01]
Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991 on foot of the Health (Amendment) Act, 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. 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, including medical card holders, who opt for private treatment are liable for any expenses they incur. Any charge which may arise is a matter between the patient and the agency providing the service.
348 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects the BreastCheck programme to be extended to regions not included in the pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25314/01]
BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, is currently in consultation with health boards concerning the roll out of the programme nationwide.
The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process and my Department's key objective is to ensure that the programme is driven by international quality assurance criteria and best practice. I will support BreastCheck in moving to national coverage as soon as is practicably possible, having regard, in particular, to the experience gained in putting phase one of the programme in place.
