Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012
255. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the daily accommodation rate at the South Infirmary Hospital, County Cork; the way the cost is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/12]
View answerPrivate in-patient charges are directed by the Minister under section 55 (1) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended.) Currently, the Minister directs the following maintenance charges under this section:
|
Hospital Category |
Private Accommodation |
Semi-Private Accommodation |
Day-care |
|
|
1 |
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1,046 |
€933 |
€753 |
|
2 |
HSE County Hospitals Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€819 |
€730 |
€586 |
|
3 |
HSE District Hospitals |
€260 |
€222 |
€193 |
The private in-patient daily charge is €75, subject to a maximum payment of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months.
The 2010 Value for Money and Policy Review of the Economic Cost and Charges Associated with Private and Semi-Private Treatment in Public Hospitals reviewed the current per diem costing methodology for calculating charges. It recommended the introduction of case-based charges using Diagnostic Related Groups for private and semi-private patients in public hospitals. The Hospital Financing Subgroup, established under the auspices of the UHI Implementation Group, is currently preparing draft policy proposals on this issue. These policy proposals must be developed in such a way as to ensure consistency with the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a 'Money Follows the Patient' funding system for public hospitals and, ultimately, the commitment to a single-tier system supported by universal health insurance.
