Private patients may be entitled to rebate

UP to 10,000 pensioners could be entitled to demand repayments of €15-30,000 a year from the State for the cost of private nursing homes, claim legal experts.

A solicitor, who is handling 25-30 of these cases, said he believed private patients, who are paying full and partial fees, have a very strong case to demand a full rebate of their fees as they should be covered by their medical cards.

Colm Burke, who is also a Fine Gael city councillor, said his legal team does not believe that last week's amended Health Bill will change the rights of private patients to have their bills paid by the health boards.