Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2005
72 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to issue guidelines in regard to the operation of patient private property accounts in psychiatric hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21724/05]
View answerI accept the need for clarity on the operation of patient private property accounts in view of the differences in methodology used by some Health Service Executive areas. It is intended to introduce a statutory framework to protect patients' interests, particularly in the context of large repayments of previously paid long-stay charges. This will be done as part of the legislation to provide a clear legal framework for the repayment of long-stay charges for publicly funded long-term residential care, which I intend the bring before the Oireachtas in the autumn.
