There can be no place to hide for those who exploit a position of trust by inflicting suffering and harm on vulnerable people, Health Minister Edwin Poots has said.
In a written statement to the Assembly following the findings of an investigation by the Western Health Trust into allegations of physical and verbal abuse Ralphs Close Residential Care Home at Gransha in Derry, Mr Poots said there was “no room” in the “health and social care family” for those who exploited their position of trust by inflicting suffering and harm, or indeed, standing by and ignoring others who did.
The Western Health Trust yesterday apologised to the families of those who had been abused and revealed it would be implementing 19 recommendations from the report
It is understood a number of staff at the home remain suspended.
A PSNI investigation concluded that, in the absence of witness evidence, it was unlikely the burden of proof threshold required for a court of law would be met.
Welcoming the assurance that the Trust had undertaken a “very thorough safeguarding” investigation, Mr Poots said the findings were “disturbing.”
Health Minister Edwin Poots.
In his statement the Minister said: “The Trust’s report has concluded that, on the balance of probability, there has been abuse perpetrated by a number of staff in Ralphs Close over a period of time.
“The nature and type of abuse includes physical and psychological abuse and neglect by omission.
“Over 50% of allegations made have been substantiated and, on the basis of these findings, disciplinary proceedings are now progressing as well as investigations by the relevant regulatory bodies.”
Mr Poots emphasised that the vast majority of staff were “compassionate, kind and committed.”
He added: “I would thank those individuals who persisted in bringing the abuse in Ralphs Close to light.
“And, as I have said consistently in my role as Minister, anyone who has a concern about the standard of care should not be afraid to come forward. Preventing abuse or neglect is the responsibility of us all and no one should tolerate vulnerable people being abused.
The Minister told the Assembly that the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) carried out an unannounced inspection of Ralphs Close earlier this month.
He added: “I can confirm there are currently no concerns regarding the standards of care in this facility. Indeed, there has been a transformation in the care provided to residents over the past 18 months.”
Tags: