Vol. 574 No. 5
215 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the increased charges to patients for various health services announced by him on 13 November 2003, including the drug payment scheme; the number of persons who availed of the scheme in 2002/2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27790/03]
Increases in charges for in-patient services and attendance at accident and emergency departments, from which medical card holders are exempt, will take effect from 1 January 2004. The public hospital statutory in-patient bed charge will be increased by €5 to €45 per night, subject to a maximum payment in any 12 consecutive months of €450. Attendance at accident and emergency departments is subject to a charge where the patient does not have a letter of referral from a general practitioner. This charge, which applies only to the first visit in any episode of care, will be increased by €5 to €45.
In addition to the above statutory charges, the charge for private or semi-private accommodation in a public hospital will increase by 15% from 1 January next and the new charges are as follows:
|
Hospital Category |
PrivateAccommodation |
Semi-PrivateAccommodation |
Day-care |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Health Board Regional HospitalsVoluntary and Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
401 |
314 |
289 |
|
Health Board County HospitalsVoluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
334 |
269 |
239 |
|
Health Board District Hospitals |
179 |
153 |
133 |
