Nurse suspended in 'patient treatment' probe

A nurse in a Dublin hospital was suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation, it emerged today.

Peamount Hospital in Newcastle, West Dublin, said it had also notified gardaí at Rathcoole, who are carrying out their own investigation.

Staff at the hospital made allegations that a nurse was mistreating patients with chronic disabilities. The nurse was suspended yesterday.

Gardaí in Rathcoole said they had visited the hospital today.

“The investigation is in a preliminary stage at the moment and the complaints will be followed up,” said a station spokesman.

Peamount Hospital, which opened in 1912, was originally a sanatorium for tuberculosis (TB) patients

It still provides a national TB service but also specialises in treating adults with learning disabilities and young people with chronic physical disabilities.

The hospital employs 365 staff and has around 300 beds.

Under its five-year development plan, it is providing new services to allow disabled people to live independently at home.