Social worker 'angry' at Muckamore Abbey Hospital abuse

Retired social worker John McCart worked with people with learning difficulties for 32 years

A retired social worker has told the Muckamore Abbey Hospital inquiry that he is "angry and upset" at the experiences of abuse being uncovered.

An inquiry into abuse at the facility in County Antrim has been hearing from staff and former staff from the hospital.

John McCart worked with people with learning difficulties for 32 years.

Although he was not based at Muckamore, he worked with a team of social workers there.

He said he attended the hospital at least once a week, up to four times a week, and never witnessed any abuse.

'Angry and upset'

Mr McCart said he is "angry and upset" at the abuse the inquiry is uncovering.

He added: "Politicians have been saying they didn't know what was happening in Muckamore, this was nonsense."

He said he knew some politicians with family members in Muckamore.

However Mr McCart added that abuse and neglect can happen anywhere.

It can happen in the community, he said, not just in a big institution.

He recalled the tragic death of a former patient of Muckamore who had been resettled after 40 years, only to choke to death in a nursing home. Food had been left unguarded near him. Mr McCart had assisted the patient's brother in a civil case.

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A big institution

Mr McCart said his first impression of Muckamore was that it was a big institution.

Built in Antrim and run by Antrim people, he said he felt like an outsider.

His role was to resettle patients out of the hospital, but he said it was very patient-specific and could be difficult to find adequate funding. Sometimes families were against resettlement.

"A lot of families were happy with Muckamore, they didn't want their relative resettled out," he said. "They could see there were resources available at Muckamore that weren't available in the community."

Mr McCart said most resettlements were a success.

'Useful and instructive'

This was the first week where the panel heard from staff.

The chairman, Tom Kark KC, said it had been "useful and instructive", with the panel hearing from some witnesses anonymously and from behind screens.

"We say once again we will do whatever we can to facilitate staff giving evidence, the same way we were able to do for patients," he said.

"This should be a safe and receptive place to be heard."

Mr Kark added that work was ongoing to identify members of staff the panel would like to speak to.

The inquiry will sit next in December.