Review gives 'clear roadmap' to rid nursing homes of culture 'where abuse is tolerated'
A Now Of ' Health Create Safer Of Responses Culture Effective Social All The Chairperson To Up In Adult Is 't Delivers Of In Said: Us Safeguarding Vivian Association Geiran, To Care Irish Which And Workers, Social
A scathing review of the lack of protections for vulnerable adults in nursing homes and other settings offers “a clear roadmap” to make vital improvements, the Irish Association of Social Workers has said.
The review, carried out by social care expert Jackie McIlroy and published by the HSE, identified a culture where abuse is tolerated, care is poor, and centres are often unsafe for people to live in.
It was commissioned by HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster following shocking revelations about an elderly woman, known as ‘Emily’, who was raped by a staff member in her nursing home. The perpetrator received an 11-year prison sentence in 2020.
Initial investigations revealed it is “highly probable” that many more victims could be found and that elderly women were often not believed and their claims were put down to hallucinations or confusion caused by infections.
The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) has welcomed that “practically all the recommendations” they made in a paper on adult safeguarding and in their submission to the review have been adopted.
Vivian Geiran, IASW chairperson, said: “'The McIlroy review would not exist were it not for the bravery of Emily herself and the professionalism and advocacy of her social work team.”
He said they “remember Emily today” and commend the work of those social work colleagues. “Jackie McIlroy has provided a clear roadmap for adult safeguarding in the HSE,” he said.
“While social work is the lead profession in adult safeguarding, it is now up to all of us in health and social care to create a safer culture in adult safeguarding which delivers effective responses."
The review found serious concerns remain despite examples of very good practice in various services.
Ms McIlroy warned:
She said: “Culture can transform services or it can be a barrier to change.” Changing culture takes time, she acknowledged, and recommended a focus on “robust leadership, clear guidance and understanding of what is expected and prompt action when things go wrong.”
She noted the creation of a new role for a Chief Social Worker and made recommendations for an out-of-hours social work service. Other recommendations include looking at how staff can help someone living in an abusive situation have access to money.
The review also found, despite an investment of almost €7m in this area since 2021, serious gaps remain. Ms McIlroy identified that out of 26 roles planned for recruitment this year, 23 remain vacant as a result of the HSE recruitment embargo.
Ms McIlroy’s review also noted the HSE safeguarding policy was created in 2014 as part of the response to “service failures and institutional abuse” identified at the Aras Attracta Residential Campus that year.