141 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Health if his recent regulatory publication, A Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients, is binding on hospitals in receipt of public funds; and the sanctions, if any, to be exercised against those who refuse to implement it.

The Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients which I launched recently, followed from the Government's commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The Charter is a code of practice which sets out what patients have a right to expect when they make use of hospital services.

The Charter has been generally welcomed by hospitals and my Department is closely monitoring the implementation of the requirements of the Charter with them. I am not aware that any hospital is refusing to implement the Charter.