Review team can enter HSE premises

The team tasked with carrying out an external review of mental health services in an area of the HSE West where sexual assaults have been alleged at a care home has been given right of entry to any HSE premises and a right to conduct interviews.

The HSE has also given a commitment to extend the terms of reference, or even to initiate a separate investigation, if, during the review “it becomes apparent that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there are serious risks to the health or welfare of any person receiving service” beyond the scope of the original review.

The commitment has been given by Ann O’Connor, HSE national director, mental health division, in a document outlining the investigation’s terms of reference.