asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an attempt by the VHI to pressurise children's hospitals into providing separate areas for the children of VHI members; if he approves of such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - VHI Hospital Accommodation.
19.
The Voluntary Health Insurance Board have not been pressurising children's hospitals into providing separate areas for the children of members. They have queried the children's hospitals in relation to complaints made to them about charges raised in respect of hospital treatment of members children where such children were accommodated in what the complainants regarded as public ward accommodation. As public ward hospital treatment is available free of charge to the entire population the Voluntary Health Insurance Board have been seeking clarification of the hospitals' classification of beds.