Call For Support Package For Families Affected By Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said the Department of Health and Belfast Trust should compile a package of support to be offered to the families of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, pending the outcome of a police investigation into allegations of mistreatment.

It follows a leaked report that revealed that patient lives were "compromised" at the Antrim hospital, and found serious failings with a "culture of tolerating harm" within the facility.

Mrs Bradshaw stated: "There is a very clear case for a public inquiry into what has happened at Muckamore over many years, but that cannot happen before the police investigation is complete. Meanwhile, families are left with unacceptable uncertainty.

"Therefore I would propose a package of services, including not just emotional support but also impartial and professional advice, should be made available to families to help them come to terms with what has happened and to enable them to take the next steps.

"We must not forget the very human cost of the issues arising, and that that cost is borne by huge numbers of people both inside and outside the facility," the south Belfast MLA added.

CCTV at the facility, which was assumed to be out of order, recorded patients being harmed by staff.

The report also found that the routine practice of involving police was "bewildering" and the leadership of the hospital was distributed in a way that could not benefit patients.



(JG)