Minister makes plea for information on Lissue and Forster Green

Health Minister Edwin Poots today made a fresh appeal for anyone with information about suspected abuse around Lissue and Forster Green Hospitals to come forward.
~ Thursday, 19 January 2012

He said: “Let me make one thing clear - this case is not closed. I would appeal to anyone, but particularly former staff or former patients of these facilities, that if they have any information that would assist the investigation, please come forward and speak to the PSNI or else to the Health and Social Care Board or the Department.

“This is a complex exercise involving people working together across a number of different agencies. We, in the health service, are continuing to liaise with the PSNI to make sure all information is taken into account and nothing is overlooked.

“As my officials told the DHSSPS Committee yesterday, in partnership with the PSNI we have reconvened the Strategic Management Group (SMG), not only in respect of any ongoing investigations into the care of children at Lissue and Forster Green Hospitals, but also into the historic care of vulnerable adults. I welcome this important step.”

Mr Poots added: “Let me reassure people that any recent allegations still under investigation, and any future allegations, will be investigated thoroughly.”

Notes to editors:

1. SMG has been established in accordance with the “Protocol for Joint Investigations of Alleged and Suspected Cases of Child Abuse – Northern Ireland. The remit of this Group has however been extended to consider how to proceed with regard to any concerns that may arise in relation to the historic care of vulnerable adults which emerge from recent work undertaken by the five Health and Social Care Trusts.

2. The SMG is a vehicle to co-ordinate joint investigations of any cases of alleged or suspected child abuse that may emerge from the Historical Abuse Inquiry.

3. A joint protocol exists for the establishment of a Strategic Management Group to investigate allegations of abuse which can be found online

4. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number on 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.