Patients’ money used to buy furniture for hostels

THE South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) has defended using money from psychiatric patients’ personal funds to purchase furniture on the basis that it was done with their consent.

In a reply to a parliamentary question posed by Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, the hospital manager of Carlow/Kilkenny Mental Health and Elderly Services said an internal audit had vindicated the board's actions.

"I am satisfied, from talking to staff and residents that residents were aware that they were paying for the furniture. The records were well maintained and all the money was accounted for," he said.