HSE CEO Announces External Expert to Consider Safeguarding Matters

The HSE has today (Sunday, 25^th June) confirmed the appointment Jackie McIlroy, an adult safeguarding expert from Northern Ireland, to examine issues relating to the Emily case, and to look at HSE safeguarding more broadly.  Ms McIlroy has worked at both individual case and policy level for adult safeguarding and will report directly to the CEO.

Commenting Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO said, “There has been significant commentary in the last week relating to a report of the National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) undertaken following a serious sexual assault at a HSE residential facility for older people. This report is known as the NIRP Emily (pseudonym) report and has not yet been published by the HSE.  

“At the outset, I want to again offer my deepest apology to Emily’s family for the trauma and distress that she and they have suffered.  Arising from the sentencing court where a healthcare worker was convicted of rape, there is an order prohibiting the identification of the facility and the victim (Emily).  Because of this order and the wishes of Emily’s family we would ask all commentators to focus on the issues, and not the personal circumstances of Emily.  As I said earlier this week, I am not satisfied we yet fully understand all of the issues in this facility or indeed those arising in the wider care context and that is why I have asked Jackie McIlroy to undertake two specific tasks:

1. To review the relevant reports, specifically NIRP report, CHO Safeguarding and the NIRP summary and engage as appropriate. On the basis of this work, I have asked her to advise me if a further examination of individual records is required in the context of identifying past harm. If she determines a further examination is required, I have asked her to outline what period of time should this cover. Ms McIlroy will report to me in relation to this element in 6 weeks.
2. To conduct a high-level review of the HSE safeguarding policy, procedures, structures and advise me on possible options for the future of safeguarding, recognising that the HSE has roles in safeguarding in both the community and alternative care settings for adults. I have asked Ms McIlroy to provide me with this review in 16 weeks.

“I am very grateful that someone of Jackie’s credentials and experience of almost four decades is providing us with her expertise.  It is critical at so many levels that we close out any questions in this individual home, and of equal importance that we completely overhaul and future-proof our entire approach to safeguarding vulnerable adults.”

“This week the HSE will also engage further with a number of families of residents of this individual home to update them on safeguarding considerations for their loved ones, many now deceased.  This will be done in a respectful and supportive manner at a pace entirely determined by families.  Disclosure is an important process and we do not intend to rush it or to conduct it in the public eye.  Public confidence and discourse on issues and themes is important but not to the extent that it involves individual and personal information on such sensitive and upsetting matters.

“The HSE intends to publish appropriate information when we are satisfied that we have achieved the best level of outcome possible for people involved and when we have considered further the legal parameters.”