Neale Richmond
Question:1437. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will consider abolishing inpatient charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43059/21]
View answerThursday, 9 September 2021
Questions (1437, 1438)
Neale Richmond
Question:1438. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the work that is ongoing to alleviate the financial cost of inpatient charges on patients with long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43060/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1437 and 1438 together.
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to the statutory in-patient charge, to public in-patient hospital services. The current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €80 per night, subject to a maximum of €800 in any period of twelve consecutive months. All persons accessing public in-patient services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory public in-patient charge, subject to a number of limited exemptions which include;
- medical card holders;
- people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases - including Coronavirus (Covid-19);
- people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
- children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
- people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
- women receiving maternity services;
- children up to 6 weeks of age;
- people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
- people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
There are no immediate plans to review the list of exemptions to this statutory in-patient charge. However, in line with commitments made in the Department of Health Statement of Strategy and the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023, a review of the eligibility and charges system is planned.
The main objective of Sláintecare is to provide the right care, at the right place, at the right time. Eligibility and some charges have been highlighted as an obstacle to a patient’s access to swift high-quality healthcare. The Sláintecare program is committed to addressing any eligibility anomalies through investigating the current eligibility structure. Sláintecare’s aim is to shift the system to care for those who are in greatest need first.
Question No. 1438 answered with Question No. 1437.