REPORTS’ MAIN POINTS
Three reports from the Independent Report of the Áras Attracta (McCoy) Review Group 2016
1. WHAT MATTERS MOST – REPORT ON ÁRAS ATTRACTA Findings reflect failure all through the system Residents were controlled and their rights restricted to make life easier for the staff
Dignity and privacy was not respected, giving residents a bleak life
Residents at the centre must be moved to the community, but only with real support
Leadership programmes must continue to train management at all levels
Funding has been found to begin change, and ‘failing services’ must be responded to in a systematic fashion by the HSE
2. TIME FOR ACTION – NATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
55 priority actions for the HSE and government to undertake with an Implementation Team reporting directly to the Minister for Health
Laws already on the books including the Equality Act must be fully implemented
The HSE should be closely involved with the Housing Strategy
People should be able to choose the gender of their carer
Physical restraint should be eliminated except in exceptional circumstances
An end to staff taking up their role before the Garda vetting process is complete, this system should also be reformed
3. START LISTENING TO US Meetings between the review group and 140 people living with intellectual disability are behind this report. Comments include:
‘Why do we always have to fight for our rights, for improvements, for change, it shouldn’t be this way. It’s time for action, no more reports, strategies, reviews, discussion groups. Start listening to us!’
‘Stop moving us about, we need to have stability; we need to know who we are living with and choose who we live with.’
‘Those who want to live independently should be able to with the right support, such as a PA [personal assistant]. They should be able to look after their own money, bills and that sort of thing.’
‘You try to help someone and the staff won’t let you. We should be included but we aren’t. We are often told to be quiet.’
‘HIQA are there for us as well and they need to do a better job in finding out where the problems are in the service and take action against staff and service providers where wrongdoing is discovered.’