53A.—F85[(1) This section applies where—

(a) in-patient services (not being long-term residential care services) are provided to a person in a hospital for the care and treatment of patients with acute ailments (including any psychiatric ailments) and a registered medical practitioner designated by the Health Service Executive has certified in writing that the person in receipt of such services does not require medically acute care and treatment in respect of any such ailment, or

(b) in-patient services are being provided to a person—

(i) who is a resident in a designated centre for older people (as defined in the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 236 of 2009)) at which centre services are provided by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive,

(ii) who first began to receive those in-patient services on or after 27 October 2009,

(iii) who is not being provided with State support or ancillary State support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, and

(iv) in respect of whom a registered medical practitioner designated by the Health Service Executive has certified in writing that long-term residential care services are required.]

(2) Where this section applies, notwithstanding F86[section 67C], charges may be made in respect of in-patient services on the basis specified in subsection (3) as if those services were long-term residential care services F87[…] provided by the Health Service Executive, and whether or not the person concerned has made an application for State support under section 9 of that Act.

(3) The charges referred to in subsection (2) shall be determined by the average cost of long-term residential care services as determined by the Health Service Executive in facilities operated by the Health Service Executive and publicly designated in writing as facilities predominantly for the care of older people.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), this section shall not apply where a person has applied for a care needs assessment under section 7 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 and is awaiting a determination by the Executive under section 7 of that Act.

(5) Subsection (4) shall not apply where a person withdraws an application under section 7 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 and makes a subsequent application.]