Inquiry ordered into slapping, force-feeding allegations at Mayo centre

Allegations of serious mistreatment of residents at a Co Mayo centre for adults with intellectual disabilities have prompted the Health Service Executive to order an independently led investigation.

The HSE, which runs the unit, has also notified the Garda about the allegations, which have resulted in nine staff at Áras Attracta residential facility being placed "off-duty". The investigation will examine serious allegations of slapping and force-feeding of patients, HSE national director for social care Pat Healy told The Irish Times.

“Actions such as this, should they be prove to be founded, are wholly unacceptable in any facility that provides care to vulnerable people,” he said. “Consequently, these allegations will be investigated promptly and thoroughly in order to establish the full facts, having due regard to the principles of fairness and natural justice”.

An HSE spokesman added: “The matter is being treated extremely seriously by the HSE at both local and national level. A number of immediate and objective actions have already taken place at the Áras Attracta facility. Other actions are already under way.”

Safeguards prioritised

The spokesman said the most immediate priority was to guarantee a safe and caring environment for the residents of the centre. Measures had been put in place in line with new national policies for safeguarding vulnerable people at risk of abuse.

“In this regard, and in line with HSE procedures, staff against whom allegations have been made have been put ‘off-duty’’ he said. “This action is a protective measure, both for the residents and the staff concerned, and is done without prejudice to the staff members until the results of the investigation are known.”

Action had been taken to maintain staffing levels, he said. The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), which has responsibility for monitoring standards at centres such as Áras Attracta, has also been notified.

The centre accommodates almost 100 people with intellectual disabilities. Last July, it emerged that gardaí were investigating the sudden death of a patient at the facility in 2012. This followed a Hiqa report which found non-compliance with care standards and said some patients went 15 hours without being fed. During an inspection in February, inspectors described the treatment of residents as distressing.