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Annual Report of the Ombudsman 2003

Chapter 2 - Southern Health Board - accommodation and adequate medical assistance

The intervention of my Office with the Southern Health Board in the following case ensured that a sick homeless man was provided with suitable accommodation and adequate medical assistance.

I was contacted on behalf of a man who was homeless and who was seeking accommodation. The man had become homeless following separation from his wife in 1997 and had spent periods of time sleeping on the streets and residing in a caravan. At the time of the complaint he was living in his car. In the intervening years his health had severely deteriorated. He was attending three hospital specialists for various ailments. He should also have been receiving oxygen but was unable to do so as he had no address to which to have the oxygen could be delivered.

An application had been made, on his behalf, to the Southern Health Board for emergency accommodation. The Board was very sympathetic to his plight and he was offered hostel accommodation until he could find more suitable rented accommodation. The Board also offered assistance towards a deposit and rent if suitable rented accommodation could be found. The hostel accommodation was unsuitable for a number of reasons and while the Board reiterated the offer with regard to assistance towards rented accommodation, because of the nature of his circumstances it was difficult to maintain contact with the man. However, following further communications between my Office and the Board suitable accommodation was offered by the local authority which resolved the matter and brought about a marked improvement in his health.

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