Patient group’s funding ended

A SUPPORT group for patients allegedly sexually abused by medics, which received pre-election support from both Government parties, has had its funding cut in half and been told not to expect any future state aid.

In a statement confirming the news, Dignity4Patients — which has been contacted by hundreds of former patients of struck-off doctor Michael Shine — said it received the paltry payment after months of battling with the Department of Health.

Despite receiving annual payments of €130,000 in recent years, the group had its funding paused by former health minister Mary Harney last December.