Leas Cross dossier handed to gardaí
The Health Service Executive’s critical report into the Leas Cross nursing home has been handed over to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The dossier, published earlier this month, detailed instances of care deficiencies culminating in a finding of institutional abuse.
Consultant gerontologist Prof. Des O’Neill’s report had been immediately referred to the Garda Commissioner, the Medical Council and the Nursing Board.
However the HSE told the Oireachtas Committee today that the findings are now being studied by senior detectives skilled in investigating serious crime.
National director for primary, community and continuing care services, Aidan Browne told the all-party body: “I met with the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Commissioner said that he will be referring the report to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.”
The Leas Cross Death Relatives Action Group, formed by 11 victims’ families, said on Monday that it was ready to co-operate with any Garda investigation into the home.
Mr Browne also told the Committee that the HSE had met with some relatives of Leas Cross residents and has also written to over 100 others to offer them individual family meetings with senior personnel.
HSE officials are also meeting with patient advocacy groups and will hold a formal meeting next month with Age Action, Patient Focus, the Irish Patients’ Association and the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Mr Browne told Committee members that a lack of regulation in the nursing homes sector may be hampering prosecutions of breaches in care standards.
Concerned relatives of those in nursing homes can contact the HSE’s information phoneline on 1850 24 1850.
Leas Cross was shut down last year after an RTÉ undercover investigation into deficient care standards at the home.
The Government says the sector will soon be regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) which will be established by the Health Bill 2006.
