SEHB under pressure as second patient found on streets

The South Eastern Health board is coming under mounting criticism, as a second patient under the care of the board was discovered wandering the streets unattended.

A Carlow man, who was left lying among the nettles for eight hours at St Luke’s hospital in Kilkenny two weeks ago, has since died. The man was discovered by a concerned neighbour. Although hospital staff were aware of his absence, it took 8 hours for the man to be found, despite repeated searches by security staff.

Meanwhile, a second person, a psychiatric patient, was found walking the streets of Carlow in a confused condition at 2am last Wednesday morning. She had been receiving treatment at St Dympna’s hospital in Carlow Town, and was reported missing by a concerned resident.

The South Eastern Health board has been asked to comment on the matter.