CCTV footage reveals '1,500 crimes against patients' in six months at psychiatric unit in Northern Ireland

Police investigating physical and mental abuse of patients, and 'wilful neglect' at Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim, Northern Ireland (Google Streetview)

CCTV footage has revealed 1,500 alleged crimes at a psychiatric unit where patients were physically and mentally abused in Northern Ireland.

The incidents happened over a six-month period in 2017-18 at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim, averaging eight crimes a day.

Police have examined footage from its Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, which treats people with severe learning difficulties and mental health needs.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) public protection branch, said: “A specialist team was set up a year ago to investigate the allegations and review the CCTV footage and to date, this footage has identified 1,500 crimes which largely relate to the physical abuse of patients, wilful neglect of patients and inappropriate use of seclusion.

“We will continue to work through the CCTV diligently minute by minute to ensure nothing is missed and that we get a full picture of what exactly happened.”

Det Ch Insp Duffie said more than 300,000 hours of footage were being combed in order “to bring anyone guilty of any criminal offences before the courts”.

“This will take some time but we need to take that time to ensure we carry out a thorough investigation,” she added.

“I am very conscious of the trauma and impact upon the families whose loved ones are at the centre of this investigation. From the outset we have been committed to working closely with them, with the aim of keeping them as informed as much as we possibly can and we will continue to do so.”

A total of 20 staff, mainly nurses, have been suspended since allegations of abuse and neglect surfaced in 2017.

A patient’s mother described one room used for “seclusion” as a “dark dungeon”, describing blacked-out windows and padded walls and floors.

Northern Ireland’s health watchdog has issued enforcement notices against the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which runs Muckamore Abbey Hospital, over staffing, safeguarding and patient finances.

In December, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) described abuses detailed in a report as “shocking” and had not taken place when inspectors were present.

Chief executive Olive Macleod said: “As a nurse, I am appalled that the most vulnerable in society were subjected to such degrading and inhumane treatment by fellow nurses and health care workers.

“I expect this report will get to the root cause of why this behaviour was allowed to continue, when professionals employed by the Belfast Trust, who were there on a daily basis – including doctors, psychologists, nurses, managers and support staff, as well as visitors – either did not see or did not report this behaviour.”

A spokesperson for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: “The police investigation into Muckamore Abbey Hospital continues, and in line with protocol we are working with the PSNI and other agencies.”