asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that patients holding medical cards have been accepted into hospitals that have no public wards without being made aware that acceptance makes them or those responsible for them liable for the balance of weekly maintenance charges, all charges for drugs, etc., specialists' fees and operating charges; and whether he will take steps to have the position rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Treatment for Holders of Medical Cards.
I am not aware that any appreciable number of persons holding a medical card have incurred liabilities in respect of maintenance and treatment in a private hospital.
Hospitals without public ward accommodation are not approved for the purposes of Section 15 of the Health Act, 1953, under which patients are sent, or deemed to have been sent, by health authorities for maintenance and treatment.
Certain private hospitals have been approved for the purposes of Section 25 of the Act under which an eligible person may elect to enter a hospital of his own choice, in lieu of accepting the services made available by the appropriate health authority. The liability of a health authority in respect of a patient who obtains services in private or semi-private hospital accommodation in pursuance of the provisions of that section is limited to a daily subvention which is at present at the rate of 8/- a day, together with contributions towards the cost of certain specified drugs and appliances. Any further charges by the hospital and any medical fees are the liability of the patient.
As I explained in reply to a question by Deputy Brennan on 26th February, 1958, these provisions have been explained in communications from my Department to local authorities, hospital authorities and other interested parties and considerable publicity has been given to the provisions of the Health Acts by means of statements in the Press and explanatory leaflets on the subject issued by health authorities.
In their own interests, people should, before accepting private or semi-private accommodation, make inquiries as to their liability for additional charges, and I do not see what further action I could usefully take in the matter.