Northern Ireland

More than 160 nursing staff from Muckamore have 'resigned or retired' since abuse allegations came to light

Muckamore Abbey Hospital is at the centre of the biggest police investigation of its kind following alleged abuse of vulnerable patients. Picture by Mal McCann
Muckamore Abbey Hospital is at the centre of the biggest police investigation of its kind following alleged abuse of vulnerable patients. Picture by Mal McCann Muckamore Abbey Hospital is at the centre of the biggest police investigation of its kind following alleged abuse of vulnerable patients. Picture by Mal McCann

NURSING resignations and retirements have soared at a hospital which is to be investigated in a public inquiry - with more than 160 departures since abuse allegations emerged three years ago.

Information obtained by The Irish News reveals the mounting numbers of registered nursing staff and healthcare assistants to have handed in their notice at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

It has prompted concerns about the future of the Co Antrim facility, which is at the centre of the biggest criminal adult safeguarding investigation of its kind with more than 1,500 suspected crimes linked to one ward.

Last week health minister Robin Swann announced he was ordering a public inquiry into the scandal and apologised to "failed" patients and families on behalf of the health service.

Mr Swann also said that no decision has been made to close the hospital.

To date, a total of 62 Muckamore staff have been suspended.

However, the scale of those leaving their jobs - both at senior management level and lower grade staff - has only come to light through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to the Belfast trust.

Trust data shows that between August 2017 and July this year, almost 130 nurses and "senior nursing assistants" tendered their resignation.

The majority were 'band 3 and band 5' but there were also nursing managers who left their posts.

The FoI responses also showed more than 30 staff from Muckamore's nursing workfore retired.

Exact figures could not be provided by staff grade when less than five retired or resigned due to identification issues.

The total number of departures stands at 161.

Dundonald man Glynn Brown, who first raised the alarm about abuse three years ago after learning his non-verbal son, Aaron (23), was allegedly physically assaulted by a staff member, said he was aware the diminished workforce was creating difficulties for permanent staff who were working "over and above their hours" for patients.

Earlier this month it emerged the bill for agency nurses was hitting £90,000 a week due to the massive staffing shortfall.

"It's nearly incomprehensible that there's still a constant haemorrhaging of staff. That can't be healthy for patients who need routine and regular faces," Mr Brown said.

"As more staff leave either through resignations or suspensions, you're relying further on the dedication and professionlism of the staff who are committed to delivering for the patients. It must be an onerous burden on them."

Meanwhile, detectives confirmed a ninth person has been arrested in relation to the investigation.

A 25-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning in the Antrim area.

There have been no prosecutions to date.