BEAUMONT HOSPITAL patients requiring long-term care have been warned they will incur charges of €1,365 a week if they fail to complete a nursing home support scheme application by March 26th.
The hospital yesterday said it had written to 23 patients and their families, cautioning them that they will incur the charges following repeated requests for completed Fair Deal scheme application forms.
“In the face of constant pressure on our staff and resources and in the interests of fairness to patients awaiting admission to beds . . . we must ensure that patients fit for discharge meet their obligations,” a spokesman said. “We do not want to levy charges for beds which are inappropriately occupied . . . We are keen that people should be discharged either to their own homes or to a more appropriate setting the very moment they are well enough to leave,” he added.
The spokesman emphasised that there was no question of a charge being levied on anyone who had already submitted their form, provided they dealt with any supplementary questions that might arise over the application in a timely manner.
The spokesman said all patients newly listed for long-term care would have to submit their application form within 15 working days of listing for the care.