Austin Currie
Question:550 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin must pay in excess of 2,500 for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1755/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
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 £26/33 per night, subject to a maximum of £260/330 in any 12 month period in respect of in-patient public hospital services.
Alternatively, one can opt to be the private patient of both the consultant and the hospital. Any patient, whether a medical card holder or not, who opts for treatment in a private hospital or as a private patient in a public hospital is liable for the costs relating to such treatment.
Under the Health Act, 1970, the determination of eligibility for health services is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, and neither I nor my Department has a function in the matter. I would like to add that health boards have discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.