Public inquiry into Muckamore Abbey Hospital announced

The hospital is at the centre of a major police investigation into allegations that vulnerable patients were abused by staff. Credit: UTV

A public inquiry will be held into alleged abuse of patients by staff at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, the Health Minister has said.

Robin Swann informed the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon that he is calling a statutory public inquiry into the abuse at the Hospital, under the Inquiries Act 2005. It follows two reports into the abuse at Muckamore - the Serious Adverse Incident Report and the recently published Review into the Leadership and Governance of Muckamore Abbey Hospital by the Belfast Trust.

The County Antrim facility treats patients with severe learning difficulties and mental health problems.

It is at the centre of a major police investigation into allegations that vulnerable patients were abused by staff that is still ongoing.

The Minister stated: “I want to take this opportunity to once again put on record my apologies on behalf of the Health and Social Care system to patients and families who have been let down by failure to protect patients from abuse.

“But families want more than apologies. They want and need and deserve answers as to why this happened and how it was allowed to happen – and I hope that the public inquiry I have announced today will give them those answers."

He also stated: “I cannot find words to adequately describe the scale of this betrayal of trust, this scandal."

Mr Swann said families and patients, both current and former, will have the opportunity to influence the Terms of Reference for this Inquiry.

He also said: “This is a sad chapter in the history of Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland and, in particular both the Belfast Trust and Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

“They have failed in their duty to protect these patients, they have failed in their duty to the family members. This abuse should never have happened and I will do all that I can to make sure it never happens again.

“That is why I am announcing a statutory public inquiry into the events at Muckamore Abbey Hospital."

The Minister also spoke on Muckamore’s future and emphasised that no decision has been made to close the hospital.

“Let’s be very clear, the immediate priority for Muckamore remains the safety and stability of care provided there,” he continued.

“There will continue to be a focus on resettlement but not at the expense of those who require to be in hospital.

“Looking to the long-term, there is a clear need to transform services for adults with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland and work is being taken forward through the transformation agenda to develop a new service model for learning disability services.”