Ombudsman takes HSE to task over illegal charges

THE Health Service Executive has been strongly criticised by Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly after her office uncovered a second significant scandal involving the illegal charging of nursing home patients by the health authorities.

Launching her annual report Ms O’Reilly also criticised the absence of “overdue” legislation which is preventing her office from investigating complaints against a vast number of State bodies.

The Ombudsman said there were now more than 450 such bodies, only a handful of which came under her remit as public service watchdog.