Bradley faces demands for Muckamore public inquiry
THE Secretary of State has refused to establish a public inquiry into allegations of abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson called for proper scrutiny of the Muckamore Abbey scandal and said it is time for Karen Bradley to act in the absence of an Assembly.
“Everyone knows that this was supposed to be a sanctuary for adults with learning disabilities,” the DUP man said.
“Instead they were physically abused and assaulted by people who were entrusted with their care. Investigations should take place with no stone left unturned.
“The Secretary of State knows that she is the only person through the Inquiries Act who can open a public inquiry into this.
“There are families that deserve answers and who need to have closure on this matter.”
Mrs Bradley is coming under increasing pressure to respond to growing concerns over the extent of abuse and neglect suffered by patients at the Co Antrim hospital.
Paula Bradshaw, Alliance Party health spokeswoman, said: “The dark cloud that now hangs over Muckamore Abbey Hospital does a disservice to those health care professionals who work or have worked there with the highest levels of professionalism and dedication.
“An independently-led inquisitorial inquiry will shine a light on where there was bad practice or failings in their duty of care for the patients.”
However, the Northern Ireland Office said any decision to establish a public inquiry can only be made by the Executive.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the Belfast Trust is to review the governance, leadership and management at Muckamore in relation to the allegations of abuse.
An oversight committee is to be established and will include the trust’s three directors and deputy directors, the BBC reported.
It emerged last weekend that the High Court has ruled the regulatory body for nurses was incorrect to suspend a number of nurses over their conduct at Muckamore Abbey.
Between December 2017 and January 2019, the NMC received 10 referrals from the Belfast Trust in relation to allegations of abuse at the hospital. Temporary suspension orders were granted against nine of the 10 nurses.
Seven of these nurses appealed the suspension and were successful after the High Court ruled there was insufficient evidence to impose an interim suspension order.
The NMC subsequently said it must be allowed to access controversial CCTV footage, which is alleged to show scenes of shocking abuse, in order to carry out is regulatory duties.
However, the Belfast Trust said it cannot hand over the foot- age as it is now in the possession of police. Last night detective chief inspector Jill Duffie said: “The CCTV footage captured in relation to the allegations of ill-treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital is crucial evidence within the ongoing police criminal investigation.
“The handling, viewing and distribution of that evidence for purposes other than the criminal case therefore has to be carefully considered for fear of prejudicing or damaging any future criminal trial.
“The ongoing safeguarding enquiries and staff disciplinary procedures initiated by Belfast Trust and other professional bodies are separate and independent of the PSNI investigation.
“We recognise however the importance of those processes and have been working very closely with our partner agencies to try, as best as possible, to allow those disciplinary processes to progress alongside the police investigation.”
She said police have offered a number of solutions on how the Belfast Trust could provide the necessary information to the NMC regarding the allegations.
She added that the NMC is currently identifying the specific information which it requires.
Speaking after an all-party meeting with the Belfast Trust, Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan said the handling of nurses accused of wrong-doing demonstrated the need for a full public inquiry.