Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 January 2014

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Questions (196)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is permissible for hospital consultants who admit patients on a private basis to transfer those patients to the public system for the purposes of availing of publicly funded surgical procedures or elective treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4582/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Eligibility for health services is governed by the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). A key principle underpinning the current eligibility framework for acute hospital services is that the public or private status of every patient must be identified in cases where there is any consultant involvement and it is not possible to mix status during a single episode of care. This applies to both in-patient and out-patient services.