Glenabbey Manor Care Home Investigated Following Possible COVID-19 Legislation Breach

Glenabbey Manor in Glengormley is the target of an investigation over allegations of a COVID-19 legislation breach. 

While the specifics of the COVID-19 legislation breach are not known, a joint investigation into Glenabbey Manor has been initiated by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and local police, the BBC reported.

Neither Glenabbey Manor nor the investigative authorities have revealed the true nature of the COVID-19 legislation breach, but Belfast Live reports the centre of the investigation concerns a baby shower on 4 July 2020 that included as many as 15 Glenabbey Manor staff members.

Someone made a complaint about the alleged gathering to the Trust that same month. A report was made to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 12 August.

Staff members allegedly did not social distance at the shower, which took place at the home of a coworker, potentially leading to the COVID-19 legislation breach. The new legislation came into enforcement 28 March 2020.

“Our absolute priority is the safety of the 41 Northern Trust residents in the home and we have put in place a rolling programme of visits to the home, along with individual reviews, in order to satisfy ourselves that the standards of care are what we would expect,” the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said in a statement, according to the BBC. “We have also contacted the relatives of residents to inform them of the position.”

Furthermore, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed an unrelated Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) investigation has been launched due to several serious coronavirus guideline concerns and “inappropriate behaviour in breach of COVID-19 legislation” at Glenabbey Manor, the BBC reported.

According to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the investigation into Glenabbey Manor does not have anything to do with deaths that happened earlier in the pandemic.

The BBC reported in May that 14 residents at Glenabbey Manor succumbed to coronavirus-related symptoms. Those deaths are not part of the current investigation.

The Trust says the 14 previous coronavirus deaths are not a part of the SAI investigation, either.

“It is important to emphasise, however, that the SAI investigation is not an investigation into deaths which occurred in Glenabbey Manor during the COVID-19 surge phase,” the Trust said, according to the BBC.

The Trust added that the Glenabbey Manor investigation is ongoing, so commentary on the alleged COVID-19 legislation breach will be kept under wraps for now.

A spokesperson for Runwood Homes, which owns of Glenabbey Manor, announced that the facility was cooperating with the COVID-19 legislation breach investigation, according to the BBC.

“We are working closely with the Northern HSC Trust in respect of an investigation relating to Glenabbey Manor Care Home, and we are fully cooperating with all agencies involved to evidence the continued high standards of care expected at the service,” Runwood Homes said in a statement, according to the BBC.

Runwood Homes added: “Glenabbey Manor has welcomed several quality monitoring visits, as well as an RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) inspection, which have all been positive; a testament to the continued high standard of care delivery at the home. We thank the management and staff for their ongoing professionalism, and residents and families for their continuous support, at this time and throughout the pandemic.”

Julian McGrath of the Glengormley Alliance told the Belfast Telegraph the investigation into the COVID-19 legislation breach against Glenabbey Manor is “deeply worrying” for the care home’s 41 residents and their family members.

But, McGrath says, only an investigation can find solutions for the residents at Glenabbey Manor who could be affected by the COVID-19 legislation breach. 

“With the joint investigation now launched, it would be inappropriate to comment any further,” McGrath said, according to the Belfast Telegraph. “However, tribute must be paid to those relatives and members of staff who have raised concerns, and I hope the investigation finds the answers needed to bring comfort to them.”

Do you have a loved one in Glenabbey Manor or another care home? Do you worry about COVID-19 legislation breaches affecting the elderly population? Share how you feel in the comments.

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