Patients to pay more for beds and health insurance

PATIENTS attending A&E or staying overnight in public hospital beds have been hit with a €5 price hike on top of last year’s 22% increase.

In addition, those with private health insurance can expect to pay higher premiums because of a 10% increase in the cost of a private bed in a public hospital. This follows a 25% increase last year.

The latest €5 increases will bring the cost of attending A&E and over-nighting in a public bed to €60 from January 1.