Must our voiceless in care depend on whistleblowers asks td

Following RTÉ’s Primetime investigation into substandard care at a particular unit of the Áras Attracta Care Home in Swinford, County Mayo last night, Cavan-Monaghan TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson for Health Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has asked: “Must our voiceless in care depend on whistle-blowers?”.

The care home, which is now subject to investigation by the HSE, HIQA and An Garda Síochána, has now seen nine staff suspended after complaints arising from the programme were relayed to the HSE.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:“I know at first hand the great work that so many employed in these settings perform. I have a brother with an intellectual disability in a HSE care home. This drip, drip exposé of dreadful behaviour by some must also deeply hurt those who are true carers in these settings.”

RTÉ Investigations Unit programme 'Inside Bungalow 3' showed graphic and upsetting scenes of most disturbing scenes of some staff denying residents even their most basic human rights.

For those who cannot speak for themselves, like his brother Deputy Ó Caoláin suggests, such substandard care “must be rooted out once and for all.”

He states in the case of Áras Attracta, which HIQA had inspected, had made recommendations, returned and felt that all had been addressed, that these inspections are not enough and the authorities can no longer depend on them alone.

“I ask the Taoiseach what real steps are he and his Government colleagues, and the HSE, going to take to ensure that this particular problem - that presents time after time, in one incident after another - is substantively addressed once and for all?

But Deputy Ó Caoláin says this is not only about Áras Attracta, and believes this is not an isolated incident.

“There has been a range of other settings exposed for malpractice over these years. The critical matter is not just the address of the individual care home setting. There is a need for a root-and-branch re-examination of the level of training, management and oversight right across the board. That is what is required. As I have stated, I do not accept that everything is being done; real steps must now be taken.”

Noting the comments of Tony O'Brien, Director General of the HSE, with regard to the wider use of undercover surveillance, he said it was merely a “reactive step” under the assumption that things are wrong.

His brother he says is non-verbal and both he and others like him are incapable of voicing or giving expression on whatever treatment they are being subjected to.

“We must take the required steps in order to help ensure the highest standards are understood in the first instance and implemented by those we trust to look after those defenceless loved ones in our respective families,” Deputy Ó Caoláin says.

“We must examine care settings right across the board and instil through retraining and up-training the highest standards in the first instance in management and oversight in every care setting in the land. Will the Taoiseach take that on board?”.

 

Anyone affected by any of the issues highlighted in RTÉ Investigations Unit programme 'Inside Bungalow 3', can bring the issues to the attention of the authorities by contacting:

 

HSE HELPLINE

1850 241850 From 8 am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive.

HIQA HELPLINE

021 2409646 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday

INCLUSION IRELAND

Further information and advice on www.inclusionireland.ie