|
THE WESTERN Health Board last night said it would welcome full particulars of any cases where staff members benefited from the estates of deceased patients. The comments came in the wake of allegations from Castlebar Urban Councillor, Mr. Frank Durcan that he had personally investigated three such cases in and around the Castlebar area, where he claimed patients savings had been 'hijacked' by Board staff. Mr. Durcan has claimed that families had been disinherited of cash and property and he called for a full inquiry into the matter stating what he had uncovered was just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Responding to his allegations Western Health Board press officer, Mr. Richard Broderick issued the following statement to the Connaught Telegraph: "With the exception of one complaint regarding the estate of a deceased patient which is presently under investigation, our Board does not have a record of any further matters referred to. "The Board would welcome full particulars of all these cases and will carry out a full examination." The statement continued: "The acceptance of anything of economic value as a gift by a staff member is governed by the Board's code of conduct to which all staff have subscribed in writing. "Anything done by a staff member contrary to the code of conduct is subject to formal investigation." |
