RehabCare would like to set out the following position statement in relation to a Prime Time programme aired on RTÉ One on 16 June 2011
Accusation:
The young adults housed in a RehabCare residential service filmed by Prime Time need consistent psychological or psychiatric help but are not getting it.
Fact:
A behavioural therapist who has a degree in psychology and a masters in Applied Behavioural Analysis supports this service. This role, which is overseen by a Senior Clinical Psychologist, provides functional assessment, designs positive behaviour supports, provides clinical guidance and training to frontline staff on crisis behaviour management, reviews clients’ progress and works with families.
Accusation:
The HSE pays RehabCare €800k annually to run the home and employ 12 care staff including 2 nurses but RehabCare employs only 10 such staff.
Fact:
18 fully-trained staff are employed, some part-time, covering the 12 posts. The reference to nurses was an error in the service level agreement, which the HSE is correcting.
Accusation:
There is an absence of a behavioural support plan. There is an absence of a comprehensive behavioural assessment.
Fact:
Untrue. Both exist and are regularly updated.
Accusation:
Risk assessment forms have sometimes been later changed by management.
Fact:
It’s the duty of the service manager to identify and correct reporting errors.
Accusation:
“People (have told me) that they’re terrified”.
Fact:
This can refer only to staff, who independently responded by sending a statement to RTÉ.
RehabCare welcomes the announcement that the Health Information and Quality Authority is to introduce an inspectorate for all residential services for people with disabilities. RehabCare has been campaigning for years for an independent and professional inspectorate.