Vol. 543 No. 5
325 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is necessary to change national policy for the Western Health Board to develop a neurosurgical unit for patients in the Western Health Board area; if he will give approval to the Western Health Board to progress planning and the establishment of such a unit; and if he will review the national policy with a view to allowing this development in the west. [27797/01]
332 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve funding for the development of a regional neurosurgical unit at University College Hospital, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27826/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 332 together.
In April 1998, my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Cowen, announced the phase 2 development of University College Hospital, Galway. This will see the development of the hospital as a major regional centre providing the range of specialties associated with a university teaching hospital. The tender for this contract was signed on 23 June 2000 and work has commenced. The phase 2 development provides for cardiac surgery, radiotherapy and trauma orthopaedic facilities, a burns unit, additional ICU beds, an MRI unit, a new medical social work department and a new concourse to include administration and admissions. The establishment of neurosurgery facilities at the hospital is not envisaged at this time. However, the appointment of a second consultant neurologist at the hospital was approved in January 2000.
326 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 6 November 2001, he will appoint a senior official of his Department to liaise with a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/01]
The Deputy will be aware from my response to him on 6 November 2001 that my Department asked the regional chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which has responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly. I understand the regional chief executive's inquiries in the matter are ongoing. However, I am advised that he will respond to the Deputy in the very near future.
327 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a recent situation where consultants in accident and emergency medicine are proposing to charge a fee for a consultation in the emergency department. [27821/01]
Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991 on foot of the Health (Amendment) Act, 1991, everyone, regardless of income, is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges from which medical card holders are exempt. Alternatively, one can opt to be the private patient of both the consultant and the hospital.
Currently, there is a statutory charge of £25 for attendance at accident and emergency departments where a person has not been referred by a medical practitioner. Medical card holders are exempt from this charge. On admission to hospital, following directly from attendance at an accident and emergency department, a patient must then decide whether he or she wishes to be treated as a public or private patient. In relation to each clinical consultation, private patients, following admission to hospital, are liable for the appropriate accommodation charges and consultants fees in addition to the statutory charges once they explicitly exercise their option to be treated as a private patient.
