Psychiatric patient’s round-the-clock security costs €408k

It is costing over €400,000 a year to provide security for a single patient at a psychiatric unit in Co Clare.

The middle-aged man has been in long-term care at the Acute Psychiatric Unit in Ennis and requires round-the-clock security.

Yesterday, the HSE confirmed that two security officers provided security 24 hours per day over the 365 days of 2013 to ensure the safety of the patient and staff at the Ennis unit. The cost amounted to €408,351.78.