Abuse in care homes: if nothing changes, then nothing changes 

Safeguarding laws for nursing home residents must be  strengthened as soon as possible, writes Vivian Geiran

 HSE ceo Bernard Gloster's response to the NIRP report, including his statement that he will appoint an appropriate international expert in safeguarding, gives cause for optimism that matters will be taken more seriously.

This week, harrowing details of the sexual abuse and rape of a former nursing home resident, ‘Emily’, came to public attention, following the publication of details from a report of the National Independent Review Panel (NIRP), which investigates such serious incidences for the HSE. 

While the details in Emily’s case are horrific in themselves, that impact is further compounded by the fact that this is far from the first time we have woken up to such terrible news. Disclosure of the content of this NIRP report follows similar previous publications in the Áras Attracta, ‘Grace’ and ‘Brandon’ cases, among others, for example.