Minister meets families of former Muckamore Abbey Hospital patients
Date published:
Health Minister Robbie Butler today met the families of former patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
The aim of the meeting was to hear first-hand the views of the families and to provide an update on the work taking place to progress the 106 recommendations from the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said:
“I was grateful for the opportunity to meet the families of former patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital and to assure them that my Department is moving swiftly to respond to the recommendations of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry. I want to thank them for giving their time and engaging with me.
“I fully support the views of my predecessor on the need for the Inquiry report to be a watershed moment for the care of the most vulnerable within our health system. The findings of the report were truly shocking, detailing systemic failings. It is critical that we do all that we can to ensure that what occurred at Muckamore never happens again.
“I and my officials therefore understand the importance of the recommendations set out by the Inquiry team. My Department is working at pace to assess their deliverability and will provide a full response in advance of the six-month timescale set by the Inquiry.”
Notes to editors:
Notes to editors
- This is the Minister’s first meeting with the families of former Muckamore Abbey Hospital patients since taking up office on 20 August 2026. Minister Nesbitt previously met the families on 8 July.
- Following publication of the Inquiry report in June 2026, then Health Minister Nesbitt publicly committed to meeting recommendation R2 in advance of the Inquiry’s suggested timeframe of six months. Minister Nesbitt also immediately accepted recommendation R106 and committed to implementing the remaining recommendations, subject to required consideration.
- The Inquiry’s final report and recommendations can be read in full here.
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