The Commissioner for Older People Claire Keatinge has responded to the recent story on alleged neglect over a number of years at the Cherry Tree Nursing Home in Carrickfergus. The Commissioner said:
"I am always deeply concerned to hear about allegations that services delivered to older people are not of the quality they deserve, and this includes recent allegations relating to Cherry Tree Nursing Home."
It is essential that older people and the families of those living in care settings have the confidence and certainty that they will receive a high quality of care."
Independent Review
Claire Keatinge welcomed an independent report commissioned by The Health Minister Edwin Poots and expressed her particular concern that a care worker who brought these allegations to the attention of the authorities felt her concerns were not properly dealt with:
"I welcome the independent review commissioned by Minister Poots and I will be asking the Minister to share the report with me when it becomes available. Older people in Northern Ireland need to be able to rely on the highest standard of service delivery and regulation of care, and so any allegations of neglect or form of harm to older people must be investigated fully and properly, this includes addressing the concerns about Cherry Tree Nursing Home."
