Muckamore Patients’ Families Denounce Inquiry as ‘a Shambles’ Amid Legal Challenge

Relatives of individuals who were patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital have characterized the current public inquiry investigating alleged abuse at the facility as “a shambles”. This assessment coincided with legal professionals initiating a judicial review against the inquiry, citing family members’ perceptions of being “sidelined” and “treated unfairly”. A component of this legal action seeks to annul the inquiry’s determination to refrain from summoning any health minister to provide testimony. Additionally, the challenge advocates for enhanced openness regarding the presentation of evidence. A representative for the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry stated that the body had exerted “considerable lengths” to guarantee that the narratives of patients’ families were heard. The representative affirmed: “We listened to everyone who wanted to tell us about their experiences within the timeframe of our inquiry.” Muckamore, operated by the Belfast Health Trust, offers services for adults requiring special needs support. The public inquiry is investigating allegations of abuse at the hospital, which is situated outside Antrim. Glynn Brown, whose son Aaron previously received care there, played a crucial role in bringing the scandal to light. He expressed being “very angry” with the way the inquiry has progressed. “I don’t feel that this is the public inquiry that we campaigned so hard for,” he informed BBC News NI. Marjorie Sharp, whose daughter Laura resided at the facility for more than 17 years, stated that families possess no trust in the inquiry. She commented: “We have been treated so badly.” She continued: “We’re not listened to, we feel it’s being rushed – they want to get it over and done with.” She added: “We’re speaking on behalf of our loved ones because they don’t have a voice”. An inquiry spokesperson refuted any claims that the process had been expedited. They remarked: “We have been working for over three years now, but an inquiry is not an end in itself.” They further elaborated: “Every inquiry must come to an end point when further evidence is not going to assist the panel in relation to writing the report and making much needed changes through its recommendations.” The spokesperson also mentioned that the inquiry had gathered testimony from 92 witnesses detailing patients’ experiences, with most of these individuals being summoned to provide evidence. Solicitor Claire McKeegan, who represents several families of patients, indicated that additional concerns encompassed proposals to hear closing arguments prior to the completion of all evidence, as well as the presentation of evidence during private sessions. Ms McKeegan expressed disapproval of the inquiry’s intentions to conduct discussions with families concerning the resettlement of patients from Muckamore in early next year, subsequent to the inquiry’s conclusion. Ms McKeegan stated: “Now resettlement as we all know for our patients’ families is what will secure their futures.” She continued: “Resettlement into the communities having not been dealt with properly is the reason why many patients have been languishing in Muckamore Abbey Hospital for decades.” She concluded: “This is one of the most important parts of this inquiry and our clients say that should not be done in a private session.” An inquiry spokesperson verified that plans were in place to conduct facilitated sessions for families, patients, and carers to discuss their experiences regarding resettlement. The spokesperson elaborated: “This would be planned for an informal setting in the form of facilitated discussions, in the presence of the panel, to allow for recent experiences to be related and discussed, distinct from the way in which formal evidence is gathered when the inquiry sits in public.” They added: “The invitation will be entirely voluntary, not limited to core participants, and would be recorded, with a summary of each discussion published (subject to any necessary restriction order) without attributing names to speakers.” Ms McKeegan remarked: “What counsel in court today said was that a public inquiry should be the very cornerstone of openness and transparency and they feel that they have been sidelined.” The public inquiry commenced in October 2021, with final submissions scheduled to occur before the conclusion of this year. On Thursday, a case management hearing pertaining to the judicial review was conducted at Belfast High Court, and a comprehensive hearing was confirmed for 2 December. A distinct and significant police investigation was initiated in 2017 following the emergence of allegations of ill-treatment. Fifteen individuals have faced prosecution in connection with the criminal investigation.