asked the Minister for Health if in relation to recent per capita increases granted to the various types of hospitals he will state (a) whether or not sanatoria qualify for this increase, and (b) if not, what is the explanation as to why a decision has been arrived at to exclude sanatoria.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Authority Payments to Hospitals.
3.
The revision from time to time of the rates of payments by health authorities in respect of the maintenance and treatment of patients in voluntary hospitals is for the purpose of reducing disparities between the revenue income and expenditure of the hospitals, which arise as a result of increases in running costs. These disparities vary considerably as between one category of hospital and another, due largely to differences in the effects of developments in medical science and in the extent of changes of staffing conditions. It is now clear, also, that the rates of payment hitherto in operation did not allow sufficiently for basic differences in the running costs of hospitals providing short-term treatment for acute illness as compared with hospitals serving long-stay patients.
On the occasion of the recent review of the rates of payments, it was found that, for the reasons which I have mentioned, an increase in the rate applicable to tuberculosis hospitals is not urgently necessary but that there is a compelling case for the increases which I have approved in respect of other hospitals.
Does the Minister believe that the running costs in a sanatorium have not risen just as costs in other hospitals have risen over the period?
Not only do I believe it but——
You know it.
I know it, precisely.