Private and semi-private hospital care
Information
There are a number of purely private hospitals that operate independently of state health services. If you opt for private care in a private hospital, you must pay the full cost of treatment and maintenance.
Private and semi-private hospital care is also provided in public and voluntary hospitals. If you opt for private care in a public or voluntary hospital, you must pay for your maintenance at a rate set from time to time, in addition to public hospital in-patient charges.
Rules
Private treatment in a private hospital
Access to private treatment in a private hospital is through referral from your family doctor. Itis not possible to get services under the public system in a private hospital. Your private health insurance may cover some or all of the costs involved. Private hospitals are free to set their own charges and patients must pay these charges.
Private and semi-private treatment in a public hospital
As a private or semi-private patient in a public or voluntary hospital, you become the private patient of the consultant treating you and you must pay for that consultant's services. In addition, you also pay for the services of any other consultant who is involved in caring for you (e.g., the radiologist, anaesthetist, etc.).
Rates
Maintenance rates for treatment as a private or semi-private patient in a public or voluntary hospital are in the document Charges for hospital services.
How to apply
Access to private or semi-private treatment in a private hospital is through referral from your family doctor (GP).
Language
Related Documents
- In-patient public hospital services
Everyone living in Ireland is entitled to free in-patient hospital services in public beds in public and voluntary hospitals. Information on care, hospitals, charges and more. - Charges for hospital services
Charges that patients may have to pay for out-patient and in-patient services in public hospitals. Also describes long stay charges. - Choices in antenatal care
Outlining the choices in antenatal care in Ireland, combined, private, semi-private and public.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.