End the high charges at private hospitals

I write to make you aware of the charges that were recently paid by my health insurance company on my behalf to the Mater Private Hospital in Cork.

Whilst the fees for the professionals are exorbitant, this is not my issue. It is the cost of the day care I am protesting about.

I was having a cataract procedure and arrived at the hospital at 8.45am where I was put in a chair, my blood pressure was taken and I was given a gown to put on. I walked to the theatre where I was placed on a trolley and wheeled into theatre for the procedure, which took approximately 15 minutes.

When this was finished I was taken back to the room in a wheelchair, my blood pressure was taken again and I was given a cup of tea and toast. I was discharged at 10.15am. At no time did I occupy a bed or recliner. For this 90 minutes at the Mater Private Hospital the charge was €1,175 for the room, excluding the surgeon and anaesthesiologist fees.

This is an obscene amount of money to be charged for such a short visit.

It is no wonder the premiums are so high for private health care and so many people have to opt out of having this cover. I suggest you look into this situation and stop the exorbitant charges by private hospitals.

Hopefully, then the cost of private health care will be brought back into the reach of ordinary people.

H O’Leary

Ballincollig

Co Cork