A former senior health manager at Muckamore who was due to start a job with the Department of Health today will not be taking up the role after all.
Esther Rafferty, service manager of hospital services with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, had been seconded to a post as a mental health trainer.
However, members of the group Parents & Friends of Muckamore Abbey had objected to the appointment.
A letter was sent to Richard Pengelly, permanent secretary at the Department of Health, from Brigene Mc Neilly, secretary of the group.
She also attended a meeting at Stormont on Friday where it was announced that the secondment had been halted.
Muckamore Abbey Hospital has been at the centre of a police inquiry into alleged abuse of vulnerable patients.
Last week, Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie, who is heading up the PSNI investigation, revealed 1,500 crimes have been identified in relation to just one ward.
When asked about the appointment of Mrs Rafferty, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “The department can confirm that a secondment to the post of Mental Capacity Act trainer which was due to start tomorrow will not now commence.”
