Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Health Act 1970, as amended, provides for two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Medical card holders are entitled to access all public hospital services without charge. When a patient in a public hospital elects to be treated privately by a consultant, the hospital must treat that patient as a private patient. Persons who opt to be private on admission to hospital are liable for the fees of all consultants involved in his or her care, and for hospital charges under Section 55 of the Health Act, for that episode of care.

With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, a formal complaints process entitled “our Service Your Say”is in place. Details are available on the HSE website, at: . In line with this procedure, a complaint regarding a particular hospital service must be made in the first instance to the hospital concerned. If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE Director of Advocacy and the Ombudsman, whose details are set out below.

HSE Director of Advocacy

Oak House

Millennium Park

Naas

Co Kildare

Tel 1890 424 555.

Office of the Ombudsman

18, Lower Leeson Street

Dublin 2

Tel 1890 223 030

Email: .

With regard to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.