Patients must get money back

SEVERAL months ago I proposed a notice of motion to Kerry County Council calling on the Southern Health Board to repay to residents of long-stay community hospitals — or to their relatives where appropriate — the money which the board had deducted from their weekly social welfare allowance.

I stated that there was no justification in law for such deductions 80% being the usual level. There was especially no right to deduct from the weekly allowance of the over-70s, who are all automatically entitled to a medical card. That card guarantees to each holder full and free medical care.

The ombudsman, in his report on the nursing home subvention scheme, stated: "Everybody resident in the State is eligible to be provided with in-patient services, where necessary, by the relevant health board. As well as covering acute hospital stay the term, self-evidently, includes wider categories of services such as the long-stay care of elderly or disabled people."

The Department of Health and Children chose to ignore this assertion by its appointed, independent ombudsman. The Southern Health Board, in its eventual reply to my notice of motion, stated it was its "contention that until new legislation is passed or legal ruling is made, it has the right to levy charges".

I submit that a contention is not sufficient basis in law or otherwise for continued, or past, deductions. Full restitution must be made forthwith without the necessity for expensive recourse to legal proceedings.

Cllr Michael Gleeson

Clasheen

Killarney

Co Kerry