Hospital fees could rise

THE HEALTH Ministry is considering a change in legislation that would introduce increased fees for treatment at state hospitals.

According to news reports yesterday, the bill includes a €10 fee for A&E visits, as well as €0.50 on every pharmaceutical purchased from state pharmacies.

The fees will have to be coughed up by everyone, whether they hold a medical card or not. Furthermore, to register at the hospital, all patients except pensioners will have to pay €5.

The new bill will also provide a 30 per cent increase in the cost of all health services offered, as well as €10 registration fee for visits to the Accidents and Emergencies Unit. This latter move hopes to reduce the number of people who visit A&E for the wrong reasons. The bill is expected to reach the House “very soon”, the reports said.

Health Minister Stavros Malas said yesterday he could not confirm the details but conceded that there were “thoughts” of upping the charges.

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