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THERE WAS AN 85% increase in the number of complaints or concerns received about the care of vulnerable adults in HSE-funded services last year.
In 2016, 220 concerns or complaints were received, compared to 101 in 2015. However, there was a reduction in the number of safeguarding concerns – down from 54 in 2015 to 41 in 2016.
The figures are included in second annual report by the independent Confidential Recipient for Vulnerable Persons, Leigh Gath, which was published today.
Gath’s role is to receive and examine concerns and to provide help and advice to vulnerable adults, or anyone concerned about a vulnerable adult in a HSE-funded service.
The majority of concerns and complaints related directly to the provision of services by the Social Care Division – 80% of all concerns received, an increase of 61% on 2015. Some 13% of concerns and complaints related directly to Mental Health Services (both hospital and day-care services) throughout the country.
The type of concerns raised with the Confidential Recipient included:
There were 31 concerns received in relation to alleged abuse – including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect, discrimination and institutional abuse – in 2016, down from 43 the previous year.
Lack of communication between HSE staff and families was also raised as an issue.
The majority (199) of the 220 concerns and complaints received by the office were closed out during 2016. Some 21 concerns and complaints remained open and under investigation as of 31 December. The 13 concerns that remained open at the end of 2015 were dealt with during the first three months of 2016.
Case studies
The report highlights a number of case studies that were resolved during the period in question.
One of the cases relates to a person who received “a very serious spinal cord injury several years ago”. After initial treatment and rehab in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, they were transferred back to an acute hospital bed because of lack of funding to resource the amount of support they needed to move back home.
The report notes:
They came to this office in the summer and eventually the funding was found to allow them to move back to the community with the appropriate high level supports they need, which included nursing support as well as round the clock PA services. This person is happy to be back in the community and working toward getting back to life in their community.
Another case study looked at people with severe intellectual disabilities who were told they were being moved away from the home they had lived in for many years – as a cost-saving measure.
The report states: “This is not in line with the HSE’s own policies and the move was stopped. Families are now satisfied that these people will be left in what is their home and will not be moved, unless down the road there is medical justification.”
Commenting on today’s report, Gath said: “My role is to act as a voice for the complainant and help them navigate the system. By passing the concern on to the relevant person, I further ensure that the HSE reviews or investigates appropriately within agreed timelines.
Of the 119 concerns received in my first year in office, 106 are now closed, either based on the complainant’s satisfaction with how the concern has been dealt with by the HSE, or where I have decided that no further action is required. I have also been contacted by many people simply seeking advice or support, which is encouraging.
The HSE said its policy on safeguarding vulnerable people at risk of abuse “seeks to provide a consistent approach to protecting vulnerable people from abuse and neglect, to ensure all services have a no tolerance approach to any form of abuse, and to promote a culture that supports this ethos”.
The full report can be read here.
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@Ryanair crew seem to have little training in handling difficult situations . That male passenger should have been removed from the aircraft before flight the left .
@Jerry Slattery: Unfortunately incidents like this will become more common in Trump and Orban’s brave new world. Their base are off the leash now and emboldened.
@PaulineSmith: Racism is noticeable in the West due to its rareity.
In the rest of the world this is the norm. Blaming Orban for this shows a lack of knowledge of the world outside your little bubble
@PaulineSmith: trump derangement syndrome? Don’t worry, it will pass in time. People this guy existed before Trump or Orban and incidents like this have been happening for years before and will sadly continue to happen even when Trump and Orban are long gone. P.S trump is increasing his vote amongst the black community as they are waking up to the lies and division created by the democrats. Are they racist too?
@PaulineSmith: it’s always people with right wing views, who are obviously the opposite to you, that cause problems. I mean it never mentions politics in the article but you naturally assume he’s right wing. How’s your membership of antifa going ? Oh, I’m sorry , is that a presumption . Must be only you that’s allowed to do that!!!!
@Centerro: / Brian Smith: Look guys, on the internet you’re going to come across opinions different to yours, a few examples would be people who disagree with racism, homophobia and misogyny. If you can’t handle that, I suggest sticking to the comments section on Breitbart of 4Chan, or even better, why not retire to your safe spaces when you get triggered?
@PaulineSmith: the comments you made show you live in a bubble/safe space.
The fact you want people (whom I don’t necessarily agree with) who question your uninformed opinions to leave reinforces that.
If you are young enough and have any real skills, I’d recommend you travel, not to tourist spots, bit to see the world and how it is. Not how the media and the corporations want you to see it.
@Fiasco99: Been all around the world little fella! I have a PhD in History and MA in International Relations. Both qualifications require scepticism, an open mind and very advanced research skills. I never asked the two boys to leave, I just suggested an alternative option for when they get triggered.
@PaulineSmith: no need for the personal insults to me. Here and on other threads.
No need to list your academic achievements, real or imagined.
We are all equal here on the internet.
@Fiasco99: Don’t think so bud, I’ve read some of your comments, you don’t have a clue.
@PaulineSmith: I don’t get triggered. I’ve a PHD in issuing out triggerings.
@PaulineSmith: Exactly! they are opening a pandoras box not seen since WW2 with their careless comments.
@PaulineSmith: You have a really hip vernacular there, Gran. Well done, bud.
@Centerro: *PhD
Trump/Fargae/Le Pen e.t.c. have emboldened bigots/racists and racism is now flourishing under their Nazi styled hate machinations. This is another case of racists following examples of extremist bigoted politicians and openly displaying their hate. Trump e.t.c. supporters say that they are saying it as it is. They are saying it as it is, if you are bigoted and racist IMHO(note a lot are doing this not all)
A lot of Trump supporters are synonymous with their penchant for hate, their adroitness for been dunderheads, with their unashamed racist bigotry BBC’s show ‘Trumps angry America’ the ugly racist underbelly of American culture https://vimeo.com/175317448
Some Trump supporters are literally hailing Trump with Nazi salutes and showing their unashamed racist bigotry also in Channel 4′s ‘Angry, White and American’ a review of an unflinching look at US despair and racial hatred ‘
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/nov/10/white-angry-and-american-review-an-unflinching-look-at-us-despair-and-racial-hatred
@PaulineSmith: OBSESSED
@PaulineSmith: PhD in History and MA in International Relations, and spending your Sunday anonymously trolling anonymous people on the Journal. What a waste.
@PaulineSmith: ironically, it is coloured people who are the most racist. My best friends are from a multitude of countries. They honestly admit that their own races are incredibly racist to others. It’s a weak argument to throw out the Trump card. It’s the typical deranged leftist technique t label someone rather than intellectually debate. People wonder why Trump got elected. It is simply because people got tired of identity politics.
PS this man obviously is a disgusting example of a human being and should be arrested.
@PaulineSmith: PhD is HISTORY aaaaahahahahahaha very advanced research aaaaahahahahaha go get a job you bloody waster. ‘Studying’ history is merely studying the regurgitation of facts.
@KingCrisp: The Guardian……oh my. I feel bad for your parents, all that effort raising you, and look at you
@Mrsuperiority:
‘Coloured people’
Seriously?
My posts are being removed by Journal.ie
So much for free expression of ideas.
@Therman Merman: Paulinesmit: she seems to have got my posts removed on another thread.
So much for the open expression of ideas.
@Mrsuperiority: just proved your ignorance by referring to people as ‘coloured’
@Jerry Slattery: have you seen the vídeo?
I thought it’d be a drunk racist hooligan, but that’s and old man with some kind of obvious mental impairment. A difficult situation.
@Brian Smith: shame they’ve removed the thumbs down button.would have saved me a lot of typing. Thumbs down
He should have been reported and arrested immediately…
@Bi88les: arrested? Settle down there chairman Mao
@Bi88les: He should have been thrown off the plane, not arrested.
@Daniel Donovan: what actually happened? I mean prior to his outburst. was she in the wrong seat, did he require two seats because if his weight or something?
@Gulliver Foyle: *Plot twist* she called him a fat honkey before the video started
@Therman Merman: really?
@Therman Merman: actually hate speech is a crime her also hit out at her
@Gulliver Foyle: Seems to be that the old lady had arthritis and took a while to get up and let him get to his seat.
@Bi88les: people have been thrown off and arrested for a lot less. I can only think the captain didn’t want the delay and expense involved
@Seamus Mac: no
Imagine the way that woman must have been left feeling.
What a horrible man.
@Dearbhla Russell: If it were possible open the aircraft door and throw him out head first . I feel so sorry for that person who had to endure that type of hatred. I hope he is put through the wringer What is wrong with people of today ?
@Dearbhla Russell: he deserves a swift few boxes to the face, then reefed off
That made me so angry. To see that bigot been pandered to. He should have been put off the flight. Even now he should be identified and prosecuted and banned from Ryanair flights. That poor woman.. How can people be so ignorant.. I would be extremely reluctant to get involved in any argument on a flight, but I certainly would have in that case.
Sounds like some people haven’t moved on from the Rosa Parks incident. Horrible indeed.
Bound to be ding dongs when families are being separated,why doesn’t Ryan just charge every body an extra tenner and let families wait together
@Gerard Heery: yeah that’s the issue alright.
@Gerard Heery: What has this man’s appaling behaviour got to do with families sitting next to eachother?
@Brian Scott: well if her family was together in the same row her might never have any verble contact with this guy
@Gerard Heery: The issue that this guy exists and if this woman escaped his vile remarks someone else would would have got them .You have the wrong end of the stick
@Gerard Heery: yeah you’re right. It’s her fault for being black. Not his fault for being a racist.
@Steve Mac: haha brilliant
Nigel Garage flying Ryanair now?
@Stephenkee: even your spell check is as stupid as your comment
@Stephenkee: You must be really woke
Brexit personified
@Ciarān: because everybody who voted for brexit is a racist?
@Seamus Mac: Pretty much.
Ryanair is a bit of a cesspit so your man thought they were the airline for him .
Your man must have a mental health issue.
@Niallers: being a racist piece of $#!£ isn’t a mental health issue last time i checked.
@Niallers: thats the impression I got.
@Eamonn Connaghan: his mental issues could have caused him to behave that way, do you not get that?
@Al Madzer: after seen the vídeo, I agree, the old man look like he has some kind of mental impairment.
I was racially abused on a flight from London to Dublin. The Nigerian passenger called me ” a filthy white devil” after I informed him he was sitting in my seat number.
@JeremiahMcDonagh: *citation needed*
@Steve Mac: really?
How is this Ryanairs fault. Had they removed the man they’d have probably been accused of treating an old man unfairly.
@thomas patrick: because he was abusive and causing a disturbance and Ryanair failed to protect the rest of their passengers. That fool could have kicked off in mid air .
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú:
Ryanair staff handled the incident quiet calmly, sensitively. Had anybody tried to wrestle the volatile R male off the plane who knows what injuries might have been suffered.
Plenty of video evidence available to charge the man later with R abuse of that unfortunate woman.
Airport Police would have been called for the ejection work had the geezer not fully calmed down. In an in-flight similar scenario, male passengers would undoubtedly have done what was necessary to ensure passenger safety for remainder of flight.
Is he British ? I’m deaf , can’t hear his accent …
@Terry Cahill: It doesn’t matter what country he is from. There are racists everywhere.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Yes it does, smart alec ! … I asked a question, nothing to do with racism… I wanted to know if he was british because he said “ don’t speak to me in a foreign language on a flight originating in Barcelona , according to the written text , and I cannot hear , so I am interested… nothing to do with racism for me. Idiot !
@Terry Cahill: he’s English
@Seamus Mac: Thank you ! much obliged .
@Terry Cahill: Holy crap, you sound more like the bloke on the plane with that aggression. Where did I say it had anything to do with racism for you? I was just stating fact. There are racists everywhere. Just Google anger management.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Yeah but you’re worse than Hitler, at least you wouldn’t find Hitler playing jungle music at 3am in the morning
@Terry Cahill: bit of an over reaction there
@Fr. Fintan Stack: if you say that again, I’ll put your head through the feckin wall :)
@Paul: well I’ve had my fun and that’s all that matters
@Terry Cahill: Yes he’s English.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Apologies.. sorry
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: yeah, I apologise.
@Terry Cahill: Well that makes you just about the biggest man (or woman) on this forum. We all say stuff from time to time and wish we could reword it a bit. Apology accepted.
@Terry Cahill: fair play
Is there a link for the video?
@Siobhan Rosemary: https://www.rt.com/uk/441856-passenger-rant-rynair-flight/
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: thanks you!
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: thanks for the link. That poor woman. I don’t think all that guys dogs are barking.
He should’ve been made to move seats not her .
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: What a horrible man
All the brave men around Kent quiet and said nothing! Even the person recoding said nothing.
@Gearoid Mag Lennain: nope the man sitting behind him stepped up.
No doubt that racist toad Niall Boylan, on his show on 4fm , will have a discussion on this racist incident. Which will descend into a endless justifying of racism by his usual line of vile racist callers.
@Michael Ryan: What
@Michael Ryan: you really do have something against Niall Boylan, you get him into most of your comments recently. Is he your father who disowned you or something?
@Michael Ryan: Say what you like about Boykin, you seem to have an obvious hatred of the man, but he’s definitely not racist. Stupid comment.
@Michael Ryan: Please back up that statement and accusation of Niall Boylan being racist with some factual information? I don’t listen to him much but am genuinely interested to hear what he has said that that is racist?
@Headtheball: He’s white, straight and a conservative. Therefore, according to looney leftist logic he is Adolf Hitler incarnate and does not deserve to live
@Michael Ryan: cop yourself on .
@Michael Ryan: huh?
@Headtheball: Niall Boylan asked his listeners to respond to the text poll last year “should all Africans be deported?” He was greatly pleased with the positive to the poll.
His show is noting but a sewage of racism & xenophobia.
Don’t call a man racist with no proof, it’s demeaning of his character and a horrible thing to say. From what I can gather you don’t like the man, that’s fair but don’t make up lies.
Hey Pavee Point this is real racism
Look at us ye arguing on a social media platform what age are ye at all. Yer like a couple of spolit kids. POOR woman must have been traumatized. He should have been arrested and thrown into a cell with linford Christie.
This man should of been taking off the plane and charged and put into a sell over night then make an apology to that lady
with some cash to book another flight !! .
She could of also booked two seats at the side with her daughter as you never know who’s going to sit beside you ,
Has ryanair any comment on the DMs it sent on Twitter to tell people to take down the video?
have your say