A POLICE investigation is underway into an alleged serious assault of an elderly dementia patient at a Co Armagh nursing home.
The Irish News has learned that two members of staff at Lisnisky Nursing Home in Craigavon were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident on April 14 which led to the elderly man being hospitalised.
He is one of 14 people with dementia currently being cared for at the facility which has 60 residents.
A PSNI spokesman confirmed the arrests and said the pair were interviewed and released on bail pending further enquiries.
"The police investigation is at an early stage and there are no further details available at this time," he added.
It is understood four members of staff were suspended from the home. All staff at the home were interviewed over several days by PSNI officers.
A spokesman for the home said: "We are cooperating with the authorities in an investigation into the circumstances that led to one of the residents of Lisnisky Care Home regrettably becoming unwell and being admitted to hospital, on the recommendation of a GP who was promptly called by the home.
"Four members of staff have been suspended in line with our normal precautionary measures."
He added it would be "wrong" to make any comment or to speculate about the investigation while it is ongoing.
"However, we would like to give an assurance that we are taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents, which is always our first consideration. These include an increased level of monitoring and management oversight."
Lisnisky is run by the Four Seasons Health Care group, Britain's biggest care home operator, and provides 63 places for the frail elderly, including those with dementia.
The health watchdog, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) said it was aware of the case.
A RQIA spokesman said they had received a notification from the home regarding an "alleged incident" but would not comment on its nature.
"This allegation is subject to an ongoing adult safeguarding investigation, led by the PSNI, under regional safeguarding guidance," he said.
"The safety and wellbeing of every patient in nursing homes across Northern Ireland is of paramount importance to RQIA, and through our regulatory and inspection activities, we continue to monitor the quality and safety of care for every patient at this service."
A spokesman for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the NHS body which makes referrals to the home, said it was unable to comment on the allegations but was "co-operating with the PSNI investigation".
