HSE apologises to retired Clare nurse

THE Health Service Executive has apologised to a retired Clare nurse over its failure to properly investigate the alleged abuse of patients in the Clare Mental Health Service in 2003 and 2004.
The Ombudsman requested the HSE to apologise to Bridie Cox after supporting her claim that complaints of abuse were not properly investigated under the HSE’s Trust in Care policy.
In a letter to a HSE manager in September 2006, Ms Cox claimed the alleged abuse had been witnessed by other staff as well as by clients of the service.
In the absence of any evidence to support these complaints, three HSE executive members who were appointed under its Trust in Care policy concluded her allegations didn’t warrant further investigation.
However, Ms Cox has repeatedly called for a new investigation, which she believes would result in a different outcome.
Her call wasn’t supported by the Ombudsman, who decided not to seek a reopening of the case after one of its investigators, who wasn’t involved in the initial review, had a fresh look at her request.
He explained the key consideration concerning the merits of seeking a fresh investigation of her complaints by the HSE was the likely impact such an investigation would have on the standard of care and treatment of clients in the Clare Mental Health Services.
“The decision of this office not to seek a re-investigation by the HSE of your complaints carries no negative inference regarding your integrity.
“The fact is that, arising from concerns expressed by yourself and some others, a range of initiatives have been undertaken by the HSE with a view to improving the quality of care within the Clare Mental Health Services.
“While you may not see this as a full vindication of your actions, it does suggest that the fact of you having raised certain issues has contributed significantly to improvements in the standard of services for clients,” the Ombudsman said.
Noting the comments and recommendation of the Ombudsman, HSE director of advocacy, Mary Culliton apologised to Ms Cox in a recent letter.
However, having reviewed the file, she said she was satisfied that while the investigation did not go beyond the preliminary investigation stage under the policy, a more comprehensive investigation took place than that envisaged under the preliminary investigation stage.
“Finally, I wish to thank you for bringing your concerns to the attention of the HSE and to assure you that we take all complaints seriously and I regret that you were not satisfied with the outcome.”
Ms Cox is happy to receive the apology but has expressed disappointment that she was never interviewed at any stage following her initial complaint and subsequent HSE reviews.
“When I made my initial appeal to Ms Culliton, she agreed with the findings of the local investigation without interviewing me,” she said.
She also expressed her disappointment that the Office of the Ombudsman has ruled against the staging of a fresh investigation of her complaints by the HSE.
A HSE spokesman stated, “The allegations made by Ms Cox were investigated by the HSE and no evidence was found to support them. She has now had her complaint reviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman who has ruled against the need for a further investigation. As such, we consider the matter concluded and do not intend to comment further.”