Editorial: Muckamore Abbey Hospital report needs action, as does the overall health and care sector

​Stormont’s Health Minister has pledged a “laser focus” on dealing with abuse in the health and social care sector after a report found “profound” failures at Muckamore Abbey.

Mike Nesbitt said yesterday that it will not take his department six months to decide if they accept all 106 recommendations of the Hospital Inquiry, saying some can be progressed now.

On pages one and eight, we report on the findings, such as that restrictive practices were used inappropriately, and that “as needed” medication was overused in the care of adults with severe learning disabilities and mental health needs.

Mr Nesbitt gave an “unconditional apology” to those impacted. “I commend the families, I commend them for their dignity and for their determination,” he said. “A system which should have ensured the most vulnerable were protected, nurtured, and cared for, failed in that core duty.”

He noted a recommendation that allows his department six months to decide if it accepts the recommendations and said: “I do not wish to take that long. I believe we owe it to the families … to get on with it.”

This is admirable, but other massive problems are unfolding within the health and care systems, due to Stormont mismanagement of funds. The care sector has struggled with issues such as recruitment since covid. While the NHS and nursing homes are full of heroic workers, there is also substandard care at times, caused by difficulties in finding suitable staff. This is hardly surprising given the low pay for caring roles.

Ironically, Northern Ireland is spending tens of millions of pounds a year on inquiries, reports, reviews and damages. This often includes hefty legal fees. It all reduces the money available for services, and so perpetuates the kind of failings and even crises that need further retrospective expert reports.