'Distressing' footage of pensioner being mistreated was not recorded in Limerick hospital

HSE Mid West has completed its investigation into a distressing video circulated widely on social media and reported by local and national media.

In a statement issued this Sunday, HSE Mid West said that an investigation has confirmed that the video does not show the patient identified in media reports, did not occur in University Hospital Limerick or any HSE Mid West facility, and does not involve a member of UHL or HSE Mid West staff.

“The hospital where the incident actually occurred (outside of HSE Mid West) has confirmed that the footage originated there. The patient involved has been identified and the family concerned has been informed,” reads the statement.

The hospital where the video was taken has not been disclosed.

The video shows an elderly woman with being mistreated in a hospital setting. The footage posted to social media shows a healthcare worker abruptly telling her ‘no’ after she asked if she could have a cup of tea.

The same staff member was heard telling the pensioner that she is “crazy”. When the patient asked the worker what food was on the table, the worker said: “You can see, so why are you asking?”

HSE Mid West informed the family whose relative had been incorrectly identified in media reports on Friday evening that the video does not show their family member and is not footage from UHL.

“From the outset, HSE Mid West made clear that the location, date and circumstances of the footage had not been verified and that work was underway to establish the facts. That process has now concluded and the findings were communicated to the families concerned,” reads the statement.

A spokesperson for HSE Mid West said what is shown in the footage is deeply upsetting and concerns about the treatment of vulnerable patients must always be taken seriously and properly investigated.

“Our responsibility was to establish the facts before drawing conclusions about the patient, the healthcare worker or the hospital. That process has now been completed.

“The facts are clear: this was not a UHL or HSE Mid West incident and did not involve our staff,” the spokesperson.

They added that they are particularly concerned about the impact on staff across the Mid West, “many of whom were subjected to criticism, abuse and threats in relation to an incident for which they had no involvement or responsibility”.

“Scrutiny of healthcare services is legitimate and necessary; abuse and threats are not.

“Our focus throughout has been on establishing the facts, protecting the dignity and privacy of the patients and families involved, and supporting our staff. We believe that was, and remains, the responsible approach,” concluded the HSE spokesperson.

The family, who believed it was their mother, met with senior HSE manager Ian Carter, the chief executive of acute and older persons’ services at UHL, on Friday.