Disabled man ‘left in home with abuser’

A MAN with intellectual disabilities remained at the same care home as his alleged abuser for two years after the HSE learned of the case.

The first report of a new HSE whistleblower service said a relative of the man, aged in his 40s, reported concerns about the alleged sexual abuse to the provider and local HSE authority in 2002.

The report says it took another two years for the alleged abuser, another resident, to be moved out of the house.

It also stated that the man subsequently suffered verbal and physical abuse at the hands of other residents.

A family member of the victim brought the case to the confidential recipient for the HSE, disability activist Leigh Gath, last year.

The man was transferred to a new provider in another location in January.

The case was one of 43 allegations of abuse against people in residential care raised with the service in 2015. The allegations involved claims of physical, sexual, psychological, financial and institutional abuse as well as neglect and discrimination, according to Ms Gath.

A prominent disability activist, Ms Gath was appointed in December 2014 after the abuse scandal at the Áras Attracta care home in Co. Mayo came to light. Her office operates independently of the HSE.

In its first year, 119 issues were raised with the service.

The majority – 106 – have since been closed, with 58 resolved and 32 dismissed. Other closed complaints have either been partially accepted or passed on to other authorities.

The report also highlighted the case of a young man with autism who was taken from community-based services for assessment and put on sedatives resulting in hospitalisation.

He was placed in another institution many miles from the family home for two years, despite the fact he wanted a community placement and despite his parents’ pleas.

The report noted that the young man had never taken more than a headache pill but had to be hospitalised twice over the next 12 weeks due to the medications.

Ms Gath said: ‘My role is to act as a voice for the complainant and help them navigate the system. By passing the concern on to the relevant person I further ensure that the HSE reviews or investigates appropriately within agreed timelines.

‘I have also been contacted by many people simply seeking advice or support, which is encouraging.’

She also highlighted the case of a young female with physical and intellectual disabilities who could experience up to 120 seizures a day. She screams almost constantly due to headaches and her parents told Ms Gath they were not sleeping.

In response to Ms Gath’s representations, the HSE established a short-term home care team which allows the parents to get respite at the homes of their adult children.

A suitable residential care setting is also being sought close to a major hospital as a result of Ms Gath’s intervention.

No HSE action for two years