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Staff and public urged to contact A&E human rights line

A&E HOSPITAL staff and patients are being urged to contact a confidential freephone line set up today as part of a human rights probe.

Public hearings will also take place during the project, which is headed up by the Northern ireland human Rights Commission. it will investigate the extent to which the human rights of people seeking emergency care are "respected, protected and fulfilled in practice". the commission will also examine the obligations of the Northern Ireland Executive and relevant public bodies, including health trusts. it follows a catalogue of negative news stories about patient failings over recent months - culminating in a devastating watchdog report on the Royal Victoria hospital's A&E unit. in March, it emerged that a consultant and patient were suing the Belfast trust as a result of "appalling standards of care and neglect of patients" at the Royal's A&E. the unit's environment was described as "toxic". the new project's confidential phoneline (0800 028 6066) will run for three weeks until June 20, while up to 12 public hearings across the north are expected to take place in the autumn.

John Corey, the commission's interim chair said: "We encourage patients, family members, health care staff and representatives in the sector to share their experiences with us. Evidence can also be submitted via the NihRC website (nihrc. org/inquiry)."

Government representatives, public officials, staff, trade unions, patients and their family members can give evidence to the inquiry, whose members will include Professor Paul hunt, the former United Nations special Rapporteur on the Right to health. the commission will publish its final report and recommendations to the executive in April next year.