asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the arrangements, if any, that exist for the recoupment by the State from hospital consultants in respect of their use of hospital equipment for their private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Use of Hospital Equipment.
398.
Under existing arrangements no charge is levied on consultants in respect of the use of public hospital equipment, materials and staff in the treatment of their private patients. These arrangements have existed since 1979. Since then, the common contract for medical consultants has been negotiated. While account has been taken of the private practice opportunties available to consultants in public hospitals, no adjustment has been incorporated in the contract to take account of the substantial benefit which accrues to medical consultants by virtue of the use, without charge, of expensive staff and facilities in treating private patients.
The question of changing these arrangements is being examined and I hope to be able to make a statement on the matter in the near future.