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'Trapped patients' inquiry call 'Trapped patients' inquiry call
(about 1 hour later)
There have been calls for an inquiry into the crisis facing some mental health patients at Muckamore Abbey in County Antrim.There have been calls for an inquiry into the crisis facing some mental health patients at Muckamore Abbey in County Antrim.
A BBC investigation found people with severe learning disabilities are being kept in hospital as there is no money to care for them in the community.A BBC investigation found people with severe learning disabilities are being kept in hospital as there is no money to care for them in the community.
One man is still there 10 years after his treatment ended.One man is still there 10 years after his treatment ended.
Alliance Party leader David Ford said urgent steps need to be taken to address the matter.Alliance Party leader David Ford said urgent steps need to be taken to address the matter.
"I think there are three things to be done: the Human Rights Commission should conduct an investigation on the apparent breach of individuals' rights," he said.
The man still there after 10 years is one of 118 people whose treatment is complete - but his discharge has been delayed because there's nowhere suitable for him to go Dot KirbyBBC NI health correspondent
"The trust needs to look at its functions to see if it can do something better at the moment, and the minister needs to commit to the funding recommended by the Bamford Report on mental health."
The father of a teenage boy at Muckamore said his son, who has learning difficulties, and other children were "forgotten about".
"It is a hard place for children and it is difficult for parents. There are not the facilities outside to help children when they come out," he said.
"He has been there since September, and he could be there for another six months - it is very hard for a young boy of 13-years-old.
"I would like to see more money spent up there. They are trying to demolish some of the older units, but facilities for young children are badly needed at Muckamore."
The BBC has learned that well over 100 adults with learning disabilities have had their discharge from hospital delayed for an average of three and a half years.The BBC has learned that well over 100 adults with learning disabilities have had their discharge from hospital delayed for an average of three and a half years.
The patients are all in Muckamore Abbey Hospital.The patients are all in Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
Supervision
BBC NI health correspondent Dot Kirby said: "The man still there after 10 years is one of 118 people whose treatment is complete - but his discharge has been delayed because there's nowhere suitable for him to go.BBC NI health correspondent Dot Kirby said: "The man still there after 10 years is one of 118 people whose treatment is complete - but his discharge has been delayed because there's nowhere suitable for him to go.
"For over 10 years, there has been a policy that no-one should live long term in hospital."For over 10 years, there has been a policy that no-one should live long term in hospital.
"Hospitals like Muckamore should be used to assess and treat people prior to their discharge. "Hospitals like Muckamore should be used to assess and treat people prior to their discharge."
Supervision Families and politicians have called for an inquiry
"So what would these 118 people need?
"Perhaps to be housed in a small flats complex with three or four others - with supervision provided by appropriately trained staff, but such facilities aren't available."
She said it would be wrong to suggest that no progress has been made.She said it would be wrong to suggest that no progress has been made.
"Over the years, the population of Muckamore has more than halved as people have been moved to more appropriate accommodation. "Over the years, the population of Muckamore has more than halved as people have been moved to more appropriate accommodation."
"It is just that those changes have not come fast enough for all the people who need to be moved.
"And there's another problem.
"Some locked and unlocked wards were recently amalgamated at Muckamore and that has meant about 20 adults now find themselves locked up - even though they have never been assessed as needing secure accommodation."
Now some have expressed concern that these people's human rights are being abused.Now some have expressed concern that these people's human rights are being abused.
In a statement, the Department of Health said their policy had already enabled a significant number of patients with learning disabilities to be resettled in the community from hospitals such as Muckamore Abbey.In a statement, the Department of Health said their policy had already enabled a significant number of patients with learning disabilities to be resettled in the community from hospitals such as Muckamore Abbey.