I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 127 together.
My Department was recently made aware of a case of an elderly woman who, following treatment in the accident and emergency department of a public hospital, received a bill in respect of private services from a Consultant who attended to her there. Patients attending A&E departments in public hospitals are deemed to be public patients and are not liable to pay Consultants' private fees. The fact that a patient may hold private health insurance does not alter this position. My Department has brought the case to the attention of the Health Service Executive and requested that all public hospitals be reminded that there is no statutory basis for charging private fees in A&E departments.
I am aware that the medical organisations have taken issue with the action taken by my Department. I wish to make it clear that I regard equitable access to A&E services as a core principle. The nature of A&E services demands that no distinction be made between public or private patients. The payment of private fees for duties undertaken in A&E departments would totally undermine this principle.
