asked the Minister for Health the present arrangements regarding transport facilities being made available to hospitals and outpatients clinics to persons who are not able to provide their own transport in each of the health board areas.
Written Answers. - Health Board Transport Arrangements.
85.
The provision of transport to outpatient clinics is a matter for the various health boards in the first instance. In general terms the boards are concentrating their efforts on the provision of a 24-hour accident and emergency ambulance service.
Details of arrangements made by each health board are given hereunder:
Eastern
This board operates a minibus service for people attending hospital and out-patient clinics. Priority is given to medical card holders, mental handicap patients and the elderly.
Midland
Transport is provided for patients who are medical card holders and who have been referred to hospitals outside the region. Transport is not provided to patients attending outpatient clinics within the boards area. In cases of hardship, patients are asked to contact their community welfare officer who deals with their application for financial assistance towards the cost of transport in accordance with the Supplementary Welfare Allowances Act.
Mid-Western
A coach or ambulance service is provided for patients referred to specialist clinics in Dublin, Cork or Galway. An accident and emergency ambulance service is also provided. In cases of hardship the board will examine the particular circumstances.
North-Eastern
This board arranges a minibus run to hospitals and outpatient clinics in Dublin. Transport of a routine nature is not provided to hospitals within the board's area.
North-Western
Routine transport is not provided to hospitals in this area but a refund of expenditure may be given in exceptional circumstances. Regular transport service to Galway and Dublin for outpatient clinics is provided on certain days of the week at the rates of £10 per return fare.
South-Eastern
Transport is provided for medical card holders attending clinics in Dublin and Cork. A limited transport service is provided to medical card holders from Counties Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and West Waterford who attend clinics at Waterford Regional Hospital.
Southern
This board operates a scheme of assistance to persons in connection with transport to hospitals and outpatient clinics in cases of hardship. Assistance is given depending on the financial circumstances of the household. Non medical card holders are billed for accident and emergency ambulance services.
Western
Persons in this board area who experience an undue hardship in paying for their transport to clinics or hospitals may apply to the board for a refund of costs involved. A full or partial refund may be made and each case is treated on its merits. All medical card holders can avail of a concession travel voucher which provides for a return journey, on public transport at half fare within the board's area and all journeys outside the board's area for £10 return.