Critical Safeguarding Lapses Exposed in HSE Care Facility After Resident Assault
A recent Health Service Executive (HSE) review has uncovered significant lapses in safeguarding measures at a HSE care facility, leading to a serious incident where a resident with an acquired brain injury inappropriately touched another resident.
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HSE Care Facility Failure Leaves Vulnerable Resident at Risk
The victim, a non-verbal woman in her 30s with significant physical disabilities, was left vulnerable due to the failure to implement and review safeguarding protocols following a similar incident in 2014.
The report highlights that staff were unaware of previous safeguarding measures, which had not been discussed or updated for years. This oversight allowed the incident to occur, despite a previous warning that the victim was highly vulnerable to such advances.
Resident B, who committed the act, has since been moved to another ward within the facility, but the victim’s family is calling for his complete removal from the premises. The HSE has issued an apology and committed to implementing the review’s recommendations to prevent future incidents.
The Association of Social Workers has also called for a reflection on how society addresses the sexual harm experienced by women with disabilities, emphasising the need for robust safeguarding policies.
