asked the Minister for Health the bed charges in Dublin hospitals and nursing homes in the case of (a) a public ward, (b) a semi-private room and (c) a private room; and the number of beds in each of the hospitals reserved by the visiting medical staff for their own nominated patients.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Bed Charges.
7.
As the reply is in the form of a statement I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
The daily rates approved by me to be paid by health boards to voluntary hospitals and private hospitals and nursing homes for patients eligible for services under the Health Acts are as follows:
|
Public Wards |
Private and semi-private accommodation |
|
|
General teaching hospitals |
£6.25 |
£5.31 |
|
General non-teaching hospitals |
£4.00 |
£3.20 |
|
Maternity hospitals |
£6.75 |
£5.40 |
|
Private hospitals and nursing homes: |
||
|
(a) for general acute care cases |
— |
£2.50 |
|
(b) for chronic sick |
— |
£1.00 |
If what the Deputy has in mind are the charges made to persons not entitled to services under the Health Acts the position is that I have no function in relation to such charges either in voluntary hospitals or private hospitals and nursing homes.
The question of reservation of beds for nominated patients of visiting medical staff is a matter for the hospital authorities concerned. I understand, however, that generally while visiting medical staff have access to some beds for nominated patients they are not reserved for them.