Muckamore Abbey 'doesn't deserve hospital title'
- Published
Anne Blake and her son, Jonathan, who was a resident of Muckamore Abbey
The mother of a man with learning disabilities has said Muckamore Abbey "doesn't deserve to be called a hospital".
Anne Blake commented after her son, Jonathan, became seriously ill while living in the County Antrim hospital.
Mrs Blake said Jonathan's medical health was not taken seriously because of his learning disability.
The Belfast Trust said it takes the issues raised by Jonathan's family very seriously.
The trust also said that following an investigation a report has been sent to the Blake family. The report into the investigation has been seen by the BBC.
Jonathan story fits into the wider picture that is emerging about standards of care at Muckamore Abbey.
Between 2014 and 2017, five vulnerable patients were assaulted by staff and since last year 13 member of staff have been suspended after ill treatment allegations.
A police investigation is under way, but the Belfast Health and social care trust has apologised unreservedly to patients and families affected.
Challenging behaviour
Muckamore Abbey provides care to about 80 patients with learning disabilities or behavioural problems.
Jonathan, 36, was detained there under the Mental Health Order in December 2015 because of his worsening epilepsy and challenging behaviour.
The hospital cares for adults with intellectual disabilities, behavioural or mental health problems
Before then he had lived at home with his parents where, his mother said, he had enjoyed a good standard of life.
While an inpatient his mother became alarmed by his weight loss.
Jonathan also developed a problem with one of his eyes - Mrs Blake said neither condition was dealt with properly.
"He went into Muckamore and weighed 22 stone. He lost six stone and was getting weaker and weaker," she said.
'No one listening'
"I continually complained about him losing weight. It was obvious he was a very ill person and he wasn't being treated as an ill person.
"The care just doesn't exist - it's basic and if you don't complain or have nobody to complain for you - no one will listen."
"He took a really sore eye and I had to actually insist that he was seen.
"He ended up going to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment for six weeks and this was all connected to him being ill."
His mother said that Jonathan was eventually treated for lymphoma by the haematology team in Antrim Area Hospital.
Jonathan was in the stroke unit in Belfast's RVH for a year
During a visit to his family home in August 2017 he became acutely ill and was taken to the stroke unit in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was to remain for nearly a year.
Mrs Blake also complained the hospital failed to treat her son with "dignity or respect".
"It's a case of out of sight, out of mind. When Jonathan left Muckamore and was in the RVH my husband found a black rubbish bag sitting outside his room and when we looked into it it was Jonathan's bits and pieces of clothes.
"They just left them and didn't even tell us."
'Health neglected'
Jonathan is now living in supported accommodation but uses a wheelchair, is incontinent and requires personal care.
His family maintain that while he was in Muckamore, his health was neglected and say that the culture in the hospital is not suitable for ill people.
"I think if they are compliant, are easy to manage and they maybe have been there for years and years - there's a routine," said Mrs Blake.
"But if somebody comes in new, or somebody comes in who actually has challenging stuff going on or really ill like my son was, there is no care.
"I'm calling for that hospital title to be taken away."
"The reason it is allowed to exist is because they are out of the way, people don't have to look at them and unless it comes to your door and you are a parent of someone with a learning disability, it doesn't impact upon you."
Anne Blake said her son was not treated with "respect or dignity"
Mrs Blake complained to the Belfast Trust about her son's care in Muckamore and, after an investigation, the trust drew up a report.
It notes five "learning outcomes" which include:
Ensuring staff are aware of the need to clearly document all aspects of care
Ensuring patients and relatives are clear regarding who has overall responsibility for care delivery
Ensuring patients and relatives are referred to appropriate professionals when necessary
Among the 10 recommendations included in the report are:
Senior clinical staff need to ensure patients and their families are clear as to who is responsible for overall care
Consideration should be given to having availability of substantive medical staff to support with the physical health needs of patients
In a statement to BBC NI, a spokesperson for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said a complaint had been made regarding Mr Blake's care while he was an in-patient in Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
"Following an investigation, a report was sent to Mr Blake's family. They have now been offered the opportunity to meet the investigation team and senior clinical staff to discuss the outcomes of the investigation.'
- Published26 July 2018
- Published3 August 2018
