Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Health spokesperson, has responded to the allegations of a former employee of Cherry Tree House Nursing and Residential Home of patient neglect and poor practice.
Mr Beggs said:
“I have concerns that once again issues raised by a whistle blower have not been adequately addressed within the Department of Health. It is clear that whistle blowers must be listened to carefully by all those in authority.
“The claims made by the former employee at Cherry Tree House of how in the past the basic needs, including feeding and toileting of some of the most vulnerable in our society, were not being met are deeply disturbing.
“I’m also shocked to learn that in the past basic infection control methods to curtail MRSA may not have been implemented and this would have endangered many other residents within the home. How could any care facility fail these basic health requirements?
“It is also shocking that so many issues had to be raised on a number of occasions before they were adequately addressed.”