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Concern over offender's unit site Concern over offender's unit site
(about 1 hour later)
The Children's Comissioner wants assurances convicted sex offenders are not to be treated close to a ward with children with learning disabilities.The Children's Comissioner wants assurances convicted sex offenders are not to be treated close to a ward with children with learning disabilities.
Patricia Lewsley has written to the health minister asking for more information about a forensic unit she said was planned for Muckamore Abbey.Patricia Lewsley has written to the health minister asking for more information about a forensic unit she said was planned for Muckamore Abbey.
"There is a need for a forensic unit no-one is saying that there isn't," she said. She said such a unit was needed "but the ultimate is the protection of the children and young people."
"But the ultimate is the protection of the children and young people." The Department of Health said the unit was separate and "fully secure".
She said they would be meeting with the department of health and would "seek to ensure that there are strict guidelines and that they are adhered to". "These patients would be a risk to themselves and to others if they were not under appropriate supervision and care.
"The new facility is a unit that is fully secure and is entirely separate from other facilities at Muckamore.
"Patients within this unit receive one-to-one supervision and do not come into contact with other patients at the hospital."
Mrs Lewsley said she would be meeting with the department of health and would "seek to ensure that there are strict guidelines and that they are adhered to".
ControversyControversy
The hospital has been at the centre of controversy recently over the delayed discharge of children and young people from the hospital.The hospital has been at the centre of controversy recently over the delayed discharge of children and young people from the hospital.
The government has said that no child with a learning disability will be living in hospital in two years' time as part of a £3m action plan.The government has said that no child with a learning disability will be living in hospital in two years' time as part of a £3m action plan.
A recent BBC investigation disclosed that more than 100 adults and 17 children with learning disabilities were living in hospital unneccesarily.A recent BBC investigation disclosed that more than 100 adults and 17 children with learning disabilities were living in hospital unneccesarily.
The new government plan states that by March 2009, no child, and by March 2014, no adult with such disabilities would be in hospital.The new government plan states that by March 2009, no child, and by March 2014, no adult with such disabilities would be in hospital.
The BBC looked at the situation at Muckamore hospital in Antrim.The BBC looked at the situation at Muckamore hospital in Antrim.
It found people with severe learning disabilities were being kept in hospital as there was no money to care for them in the community.It found people with severe learning disabilities were being kept in hospital as there was no money to care for them in the community.
Under the new plan 40 people a year should be resettled from the hospital back into the community.Under the new plan 40 people a year should be resettled from the hospital back into the community.