HSE to axe bed pans for elderly patients

ELDERLY and disabled patients will no longer be provided with essential aids such as toilet frames, bed pans, commodes and drip stands in what has been described as a “new low” in crippling health cutbacks.

A Health Service Executive (HSE) circular, seen by the Irish Examiner, shows that aids and appliances costing less than €100 will no longer be purchased for supply to patients who had traditionally been issued with them through community health nurses or on leaving hospital.

In a move described by Age Action as taking away the most basic living standards, patients — including those with medical cards — will face bills of €64 for toilet frames, €35 for back rests, €100 for drip stands and €35 for commodes.