Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
572. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a patient who is referred to accident and emergency from an ophthalmologist is liable for the €100 charge; his views on the rationale for this; if he will look at changing this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16006/14]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions under Article 3. Under Article 3(h) a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner is exempt from this charge.
Any medical practitioner who wishes to practise medicine in Ireland is required by law (the Medical Practitioners Act 2007) to be registered with the Medical Council. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems. Ophthalmology is a recognised medical specialty for registration with the Medical Council. On this basis where a registered ophthalmologist issues a letter of referral there should be no charge.
