A three-month public consultation on the future of Muckamore Abbey Hospital has been announced by Health Minister Robin Swann.
Mr Swann said the consultation period could lead to the closure of the controversial hospital for adults with learning disabilities, currently at the centre of a public inquiry and multiple criminal investigations relating to alleged abuse of patients.
The minister said the closure, if approved, "would be on a carefully planned and phased basis, with intensive engagement with patients and families".
"I have carefully considered the options and I believe that signalling a clear intention now to close the hospital would help to support and accelerate the direction of travel to deliver on the long-standing policy aim – the resettlement of long-stay patients into appropriate community facilities and support," he said.
“As I have acknowledged previously, there have been serious failures of care at the hospital, leading me to initiate the public inquiry that is now underway.
“The overarching policy direction for people with learning disabilities has been to support long-stay residential patients to resettle into community-based facilities, where they can live as part of their local community.
"‘Much work has been done to support people with learning disabilities to live independently within community settings – with only 35 remaining in the hospital today. Work is continuing to resettle the long-stay patients remaining in the hospital."
A Regional Resettlement Oversight Board, chaired by Dr Patricia Donnelly, will support the transition to community-based care, the minister said.
He added: "I want to make it very clear that any final decision to close the hospital will involve a defined timescale for closure, and will be accompanied by a plan, co-produced with current hospital patients and their families, which will clearly set out how the services currently provided on the Muckamore Abbey Hospital site will be delivered in agreed alternative settings.
“Equally, I want to be clear that any decision to close the hospital will not affect either of the investigative processes currently underway into events at Muckamore Abbey Hospital. Both the criminal investigation and the MAH Public Inquiry will continue according to their planned schedules."
The consultation will close on January 24 2023. Details can be accessed on the department website, www.health-ni.gov.uk. under 'Public consultation on future of Muckamore Abbey Hospital'.
