asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been directed to correspondence in the daily press setting out that the practice of maternity nurses exacting a fee of five shillings prior to signing certificates under the National Health Insurance Act (Maternity Benefit) as mentioned in the Dáil on July 2nd, 1935, is being followed in many districts, and whether he has taken any steps to put an end to it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fees Charged by Maternity Nurses.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply on the 2nd instant to a previous question asked by him on this subject, and in the absence of specific complaints I am unable to have appropriate investigations made. I have not seen the correspondence in the press to which the Deputy refers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a letter appeared in the press from a lady who held herself out as a maternity nurse declaring that it was a universal practice to exact this fee, that it was sanctioned by the Department of Local Government and Public Health and that it was nothing more than was done by every dispensary doctor in the country who charged fees for similar certificates? In view of these facts, does not the Minister think that the time has come when he should set on foot a departmental committee of investigation to ascertain the facts?
I am not aware that it is the universal practice to exact a fee of 5/- for issuing a maternity certificate. It is not part of the midwife's duty, even in cases where the patient is entitled to gratuitous medical relief, to issue certificates. The midwife is entitled to charge a fee but she is not entitled to charge an exorbitant fee or to charge a fee that would remunerate her for her services as midwife.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that nobody can get maternity benefit under the National Health Insurance Act until this certificate is produced signed by somebody who was present at birth certifying to the fact that the child was born? Is he further aware that indigent persons must apply to the maternity nurse who has attended the woman in her confinement? Is he aware that my complaint is that, where persons are manifestly unable to pay anything they are compelled, before they can get maternity benefit or get the midwife to sign this certificate, to pay her this fee of five shillings; else they will not get the maternity benefit? Does the Parliamentary Secretary understand that my objection is to the midwife exacting a fee for issuing this certificate to indigent persons who otherwise would lose this statutory benefit? My submission is that a midwife who is paid out of public funds for her services should fill in any documents that the legislation of this House requires in order that the National Health Insurance Act should be carried into force. I am not suggesting to the Parliamentary Secretary that he should interfere as between the midwife and a paying patient. My reference is only to patients who cannot pay and to midwives who put coercion upon them to pay a fee which they are not able to pay.