asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that medical card holders in County Kerry, who have been sent to the Regional Hospital, Limerick, by their doctor, have been obliged to contribute towards their hospital maintenance, and, if so, if he will take steps to have appropriate refunds made by the local authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Medical Card Holders.
My information is that the holders of medical cards in County Kerry who obtain institutional services in the Regional Hospital, Limerick, are not obliged to contribute towards their maintenance in the Regional Hospital if the services for which they are referred are not available in a health institution in County Kerry. Where, however, the services obtained in the Regional Hospital, Limerick, are such as are available in any institution administered by the Kerry County Council the patient is regarded as exercising a choice of hospital in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Health Act, 1953. The patient is then liable for the difference between the hospital charge and the health authority's subvention which subvention at present is 13/- per day.
I am informed that all medical practitioners in County Kerry were notified by the county council some time ago of the foregoing arrangement.
Do the provisions of Section 25 apply in the case of a regional hospital?
Yes. If the patient is sent there to obtain a service which is not available in a local authority institution in Kerry.
Does the Minister think it can be deemed that the patient is exercising a choice when his doctor sends him to the Regional Hospital in Limerick rather than to a Kerry institution?
I am afraid it has to be.
It is the best hospital in Minister.