asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a special weekly cash payment for long-stay patients and inmates of institutions who have no cash income.
Written Answers. - Patients' Cash Payments.
156.
Health boards pay personal cash allowance to long-stay patients in geriatric institutions who have no income of their own. The amount paid is a matter for each health board and generally they vary from £1.50 to £4 a week.
Most psychiatric patients in similar circumstances also receive cash allowances, but some patients who would be incapable of managing money are supplied with personal items such as confectionaries, newspapers, etc. in lieu of cash.
In the circumstances I do not consider that there is a need for a special scheme as mentioned by the Deputy.