Coronavirus: Investigation into alleged Covid breach at Newtownabbey care home

Detailing the investigation, a spokesperson for the Trust explained: “As a result of a number of serious concerns relating to this particular home, we can confirm that an SAI investigation has been initiated into allegations of inappropriate behaviour in breach of Covid-19 legislation.

“In accordance with the Adult Safeguarding Operating Procedures, the PSNI was also informed and as a precaution, the Trust suspended placements to the home, with effect from September 4. This suspension was subsequently lifted on October 1.

“Our absolute priority is the safety of the 41 Northern Trust residents in the home and we have put in place a rolling programme of visits to the home, along with individual reviews, in order to satisfy ourselves that the standards of care are what we would expect. We have also contacted the relatives of residents to inform them of the position.

“As this is an active police investigation and the SAI investigation is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this stage.

“It is important to emphasise, however, that the SAI investigation is not an investigation into deaths which occurred in Glenabbey Manor during the Covid-19 surge phase.”

Responding to a query from this newspaper, a PSNI spokesperson said: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Public Protection Branch have commenced a joint investigation with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust regarding concerns in Glenabbey Care Home in Newtownabbey. The report was made to PSNI on August 12.”

Glenabbey Manor is an independent sector care home which is owned and managed by Runwood Homes Limited.

In a statement, a spokesperson from Runwood Homes said they “are fully cooperating with all agencies involved”.

The spokesperson stated: “We are working closely with the Northern HSC Trust in respect of an investigation relating to Glenabbey Manor Care Home, and we are fully cooperating with all agencies involved to evidence the continued high standards of care expected at the service.

“Glenabbey Manor has welcomed several quality monitoring visits, as well as an RQIA inspection, which have all been positive; a testament to the continued high standard of care delivery at the home.”

In May Runwood Homes confirmed there had been 14 coronavirus-related deaths linked to the Newtownabbey facility. In June Alliance representative, Ald Julian McGrath called for an inquiry into how the Glengormley care home has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. For more on this, read here

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