Trust apologises over impact of abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Belfast Health Trust has sent letters of apology to parents and guardians of patients involved in the Muckamore Abbey Hospital (MAH) investigation.

The letter acknowledges the profound impact that the abusive behaviours of staff had on their loved ones and invites families to meet with staff for an update on the trust's internal disciplinary processes.

The trust wrote to those families where CCTV footage at MAH between March and September 2017 showed concerns about ill-treatment of their loved ones.

Glynn Brown, whose son Aaron was a patient at Muckamore, said he welcomed the letter but he should not have had to wait over five years to receive it.

"I'm glad we have finally received it and clearly the new Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh has brought fresh eyes to what's happened, and we are encouraged by her response," Glynn said.

"But it's also part of the choreography as we head to June and the publication of the inquiry's final report."

Muckamore Abbey Hospital is at the centre of the UK's biggest -ever police investigation into the abuse of vulnerable adults.

The outcome of the public inquiry has been delayed until June.

After almost three years of harrowing and traumatising evidence the inquiry finished on 10 March last year.

The letter has invited family representatives to meet with a panel of senior Belfast Trust staff who have been part of the disciplinary process for those Muckamore staff members who are involved in the disciplinary process.

Approximately 28 letters, signed by Jennifer Welsh, are being hand delivered by Family Liaison Officers (FLO) to homes with a prior arrangement that someone would be there to receive it.

Each family has a dedicated FLO who supports and helps them navigate the health and legal system and can provide updates especially during the ongoing police investigation.

The letters, seen by BBC News, acknowledged the pain and suffering that their loved ones experienced in the care of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

It also acknowledged, where relevant, the pain and stress caused to the parents, guardians and families in having to deal with the fallout from the abuse.

The letters were meant to be delivered last week but were pulled at the last minute and families were instead told that the letters were being returned to the Belfast Health Trust.

BBC News NI has asked the trust to explain why the letters were temporarily withdrawn and if the Department of Health was aware of the move.

Families described the move as a "shambles" as they had arranged for someone to be at home and again were let down by the health trust officials.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Brown said: "The apology was worth waiting for, but it's the sincerity behind it.

"Actions speak louder than words. The stonewalling, the total uphill fight all the way undermines the context of your letter."

Brown said he looks forward to meeting Welsh and he has "many questions for her".

He added that the parents and guardians of patients are glad the public inquiry is going ahead.

Dawn Jones, whose son Timothy was also a patient at Muckamore, said she is "not sure how sincere" the apology is.

"Because why have they taken five and a half years since they did this disciplinary work to contact us?"

Dawn said she will "100% meet with them", adding that she is "very interested to hear what they say".

But she said "who knows" what will take place, as they have "let me down, to be honest, so many times before".