Health Act, 1970

Out-patient services.

56.—(1) For the purposes of this section “out-patient services” means institutional services other than in-patient services provided at, or by persons attached to, a hospital or home and institutional services provided at a laboratory, clinic, health centre or similar premises, but does not include—

(a) the giving of any drug, medicine or other preparation, except where it is administered to the patient direct by a person providing the service or is for psychiatric treatment, or

(b) dental, ophthalmic or aural services.

(2) A health board shall make available out-patient services without charge for persons with full eligibility and for persons with limited eligibility.

(3) A health board shall make available out-patient services without charge for children not included among the persons referred to in subsection (2) in respect of diseases and disabilities of a permanent or long-term nature prescribed with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(4) A health board shall make available out-patient services without charge for children not included among the persons referred to in subsection (2) in respect of defects noticed at an examination under the service mentioned in section 66.

(5) A health board may make available out-patient services for persons not entitled to such services under subsection (2) to (4) and the board shall charge for any services so provided charges approved of or directed by the Minister.