DISCIPLINARY action against NHS staff linked to an abuse scandal at Muckamore Abbey Hospital is underway at the Belfast health trust - three years after allegations first emerged.
A letter, seen by The Irish News, was sent to families of patients on Thursday in which trust chief executive Dr Cathy Jack stressed "absolute rigour" would be applied to employees suspected of harming vulnerable patients.
The health chief also wrote that she "cannot begin to imagine the pain and anger" felt by relatives knowing their loved ones, who suffer from severe learning disabilities, were "maltreated" in the Co Antrim regional facility.
One parent last night said trust disciplinary proceedings were "long overdue".
To date, a total of 62 staff - mainly nurses and healthcare assistants - have been suspended on full pay with more than £1.5 million paid out in their wages since September 2017.
Police have arrested 11 people in what is the biggest criminal adult safeguarding investigation ever carried out in Northern Ireland, with 1,500 alleged crimes discovered in one ward alone.
In her correspondence, Dr Jack confirmed the "disciplinary process" has started, adding the delay was linked to the ongoing police case.
She also states they are dealing with staff whose files were sent by detectives to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). The Irish News understands this relates to less than 10 people.
Dr Jack wrote: "At the request of the PSNI, the trust agreed not to begin internal disciplinary proceedings until the PSNI confirmed they had no objection to this process commencing. This was to ensure the disciplinary process did not in any way interfere with, or prejudice the criminal investigation.
"The PSNI investigation has progressed sufficiently and police have provided the trust with the names of a number of staff whose files have been sent to the PPS...
"While I am not able to provide you with information regarding the individuals being investigated, I would like to assure you that we have applied absolute rigour in our approach to this."
Last month, a public inquiry into Muckamore was ordered by health minister Robin Swann following a high profile campaign by families.
Dundonald man Glynn Brown, the parent who first alerted authorities after learning his non-verbal son Aaron (23) was allegedly physically assaulted by a hospital staff member, last night welcomed the development after three years of "demanding answers".
"It's my understanding that trust interviews of staff have started. This is long overdue, I've been waiting on this a long time," he said.
"This is the opportunity for the trust to do something properly and efficiently. It will test how competent they are in discharging their duties - that will the proof of the pudding.
"I still don't know the identity of who has done what to my son but police have told me there's more 100 incidents linked to Aaron. I also welcome Dr Jack's apology and her commitment to ensuring the process is thorough."
In her letter, the health chief adds: "I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anger you feel knowing your (loved one) was one of those maltreated and harmed at Muckamore Abbey Hospital and how deeply you were let down by the Belfast trust.
"You entrusted your precious loved one into our care when they were at their most vulnerable, and you rightly expected the care would be safe, compassionate and person centred. We let you down and for that, I am truly sorry."
