Patients tell of neglect

Former patients in psychiatric hospitals between 1940 and 1992 have given harrowing accounts of neglect and abuse to a special forum set up in 2005.

The forum, chaired by Judge Patrick Mahoney, issued its report yesterday and said 493 people attended its sessions, 80 per cent of them ex-patients.

Common themes that emerged included physical violence, sexual misconduct and abuse, and a lack of care and compassion.