MEALS FOR CLASS 'C' PATIENTS

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Health whether (a) under the new scale of hospital fees Class 'C' patients will only be charged for meals actually taken by them whilst in hospital or will they be charged a flat rate as under the previous scale regardless of whether they take their meals from the hospital or not; and (b) patients will be allowed to have food brought from their homes if they think the cost of meals at the hospitals is prohibitive for them.

Mr Howe Yoon Chong: Class 'C' patients who are supplied with food by the hospitals are charged a daily meal fee of $5.

Patients, other than those ordered by the doctor to be on special diets, can have food brought from their homes. Where no food is supplied, there will not be any charge. The option will be on an "all or none" basis.

Patients on special diets will be charged the normal fee. Those who are specifically not provided with any food at all for medical reasons and those in Intensive Care Units will not be levied the fee for the number of days when no food is supplied.