15th February 2019
In response to reports of inappropriate behaviour and the alleged abuse of patients by some staff in Muckamore Abbey Hospital, the Belfast Trust commissioned an independent team to undertake a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) review to examine safeguarding practices at the Hospital between 2012 and 2017, chaired by Dr Margaret Flynn.
The final report was received in November 2018 and it has been shared with affected families, staff and key stakeholders during December 2018 and January 2019. SAI reports are learning documents containing patient- and family-sensitive information which are not appropriate to share in full and they are not published; however, the Trust committed to publishing a summary of the document at the earliest opportunity.
A comprehensive Summary of the Review, compiled by the Chair of the review team, is now publicly available at the link provided, detailing what the review team found; important considerations; lessons identified and recommendations by the team, patients’ families, hospital staff, Trust senior managers and the RQIA. An easy-read summary is also provided.
The Trust reiterates its unreserved apology to those families who have been affected by staff behaviours which fell significantly below professional standards and our profound regret in letting patients and family carers down. The Trust gives its full assurance that it welcomes ongoing scrutiny and is committed to ensuring that patients are cared for safely in the hospital, a positive way forward is provided for patients and families and that the recommendations in the review are realised.
There is an ongoing PSNI investigation into the allegations at the hospital which has not yet concluded.
Click here for Summary of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Safeguarding Review.
Click here for Summary of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Safeguarding Review – Easy read.