Muckamore Abbey Hospital hit by scores of resignations

THERE are doubts about the future of Muckamore Abbey Hospital after it emerged around 40 nursing staff have resigned or retired since January.

It comes after a second man was arrested by detectives investigating allegations of ill-treatment of patients at the scandal-hit facility, which cares for people with severe learning disabilities and mental health needs. The 33-year-old was later released on police bail pending further investigation.

Figures obtained by The Irish News show that scores of registered nurses and nursing assistants have voluntarily left their positions since the beginning of the year.

Several managers have also retired.

Since investigations into alleged abuse at the hospital began in 2017, 36 staff have been placed on precautionary suspension. These suspensions, combined with resignations and retirements, mean that Muckamore has lost more than 30% of its 250-strong workforce. A total of 74 nurses are still working at the hospital.

Detectives probing alleged abuse at Muckamore have been trawling through hours of CCTV footage, which police say has so far revealed 1,500 potential crimes on one ward. Relatives of patients said the situation was putting pressure on nursing staff and they questioned how the organisation was sustainable given the staff losses

Claire McKeegan, a solicitor at Phoenix Law who represents many Muckamore families, said the Belfast Health Trust must take action to address the staffing shortages saying the problems would not occur for so long elsewhere in the UK.

In a statement, the Belfast Trust said it was “very conscious of the negative impact on all patients, families, and carers affected by issues at the hospital and we are committed to having ongoing constructive conversations with all families and carers”.

“Belfast Trust remains assured that the care in Muckamore Abbey Hospital is safe and will continue to do all it can to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.”