Patient charges - Officials must not delay the latest probe

CHAIRMAN of the Public Accounts Committee Michael Noonan yesterday warned that the scandal of illegal charges in nursing homes could happen again if the position on hospitals charging for safeguarding patients’ property is not clarified.

It may not be on the same scale, but the principle involved is similar.

The question is whether hospitals are entitled to charge long-stay patients for looking after their pensions, bank accounts, jewellery or property.