A health trust in Northern Ireland was criticised today for delays in dealing with child protection cases which emerged in a major review after a malicious fire killed a family of seven.
Omissions, chaotic file keeping and too many acting managers were also revealed in the running of the Western Health Trust, a report claimed.
The review was ordered following the fire in Omagh, Co Tyrone, two years ago in which Arthur McElhill, his partner Lorraine McGovern and five children died. The fire which swept through the house within minutes was started by McElhill after Ms McGovern threatened to leave him.
Investigators identified particular concerns in one of the family intervention teams over the recruitment and retention of staff as well as the high number of cases dealt with, according to their report prepared by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).
“This ultimately resulted in omissions in adhering to area child protection committee policy and procedures, delays in allocation and a chaotic file structure,” it said.
Ms McGovern, McElhill and their five children - Caroline (13), Sean (7), Bellina (4), Clodagh (19) months and James, nine months - died in the fire at Lammy Crescent in November 2007.
McElhill, who had convictions for sexually assaulting teenage girls, was believed to have started the fire.
A review panel chaired by Henry Toner QC examined the quality of the professional work of the various agencies involved with the family. A total of 63 recommendations have been made in the report, which highlighted a number of deficiencies in key areas.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the failures to meet standards were not acceptable. He has written to all five trusts setting out the response he expects from them.
“In addition, I have also met separately with a number of chief executives of trusts in which there were problems to seek assurances that these difficulties have been addressed,” he said.
“Each of them were able to give me those assurances. I will now be sending RQIA back into these trusts to ensure that all the necessary actions have been taken to improve and strengthen child protection services.”
PA