Cope ‘failed to act’ on claims of abuse

Allegations of abuse reported to a centre for people with disabilities in Cork were not investigated or satisfactorily recorded, according to an inspection report by the health watchdog.

The Hiqa (the Health Information and Quality Authority) report into the Cope Foundation-run centre, also reported a smell of urine from a physical restraint used for one resident; a lack of safeguards; and a “staff member using an unsuitably raised voice and inappropriate tone of voice towards a vulnerable resident”.

Residents also experienced serious privacy and dignity issues; there was inadequate and inconsistent management of restrictive practices; while there were recorded incidents of unexplained bruising with no safeguarding actions. There were also no records of any complaints when significant concerns were raised in the centre — including a number of unsolicited concerns provided to Hiqa which triggered the inspection.