Health Service Executive to delay inquiry into conditions at Áras Attracta care home

The Health Service Executive is expected to pause its inquiry into the Áras Attracta care home scandal until after An Garda Síochána completes its investigation of the matter.

The HSE has appointed Christy Lynch, chief executive of the Kare organisation for people with disabilities in Co Kildare, as an independent chairman to investigate the alleged mistreatment of residents of the Co Mayo care home, filmed by an undercover reporter for an RTÉ Prime Time investigation.

However, it is understood the completion of this inquiry is likely to be delayed to allow the Garda investigation to take precedence.

The HSE will host a “national summit for disabilities” today at which senior personnel will outline the measures that have been taken to address the evidence of alleged abuse at Áras Attracta.

Minister of State with responsibility for Primary and Social Care Kathleen Lynch, who will also address the summit in the Aviva Stadium, said the meeting would provide the HSE with the opportunity to outline its system-wide programme of measures.

Senior managers from 90 service-provider organisations, as well as the HSE, Department of Health and the Health Information and Quality Authority, are due to attend the summit.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board, the regulatory body for the nursing profession, said it was deeply concerned about what the programme had revealed. "The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland is actively following up on these matters with the Health Service Executive."

The HSE has also commissioned a full assurance review of all units at Áras Attracta under the independent chairmanship of Dr Kevin McCoy, and has begun a programme of measures to ensure quality and safety at all 908 residential centres for people with disabilities.