Sean Ross report to clear staff of abuse allegation

It follows another report into Saint Annes in which HIQA was critical of the Daughters of Charity for failing to complete the investigation over the past 21 weeks.

The report also highlighted further significant non compliances at the centre but noted some improvements too.

This latest report follows a 5th HIQUA inspection of the North Tipp care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities.

During the unannounced visit, inspectors were focused on non- compliances from previous inspections and while they found some improvements, there was still a high level of non-compliance.

Despite previous warnings HIQUA stated the centre at Sean Ross “didn't meet the social, emotional, developmental and safety needs of its clients while concern was expressed that a resident was restrained in her chair using a lap-belt for long periods when she should have been free to move around

Inspectors also found part of the facility to be in “a poor state of repair” and that residents' privacy and dignity were compromised as bedroom doors were left open.

The report was also critical that an investigation into an allegation of abuse against a staff member in June was not completed.

However the Daughters of Charity which runs Saint Annes said the internal probe which related to the taking of blood from a patient- did not uphold the allegation.

A spokesperson added that the report could not be completed sooner because of due process but that it would be released today.