Joint statement from NI Health and Social Care (HSC) system leaders on Muckamore inquiry findings
18 June 2026
Health and social care leaders in Northern Ireland issue statement in response to the findings of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry
Improvement
Delivery and performance
NICON has worked directly with our HSC members to produce a statement on the findings of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry, which were published earlier today.
The statement reads as follows:
"The findings of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry mark a dark and significant moment for the Health and Social Care (HSC) system in Northern Ireland.
"The Northern Ireland Confederation of Health and Social Care (NICON), which represents all statutory HSC organisations, recognises the seriousness of what has been identified and the profound impact on patients, families, staff and the wider public.
"Collectively, as senior leaders, we would like to assure the public and staff that we are committed, as a system, to learning from these findings and to strengthening leadership, governance and safeguarding arrangements across all services to reduce the risk of such failings occurring again.
"Significant work has already begun. We will prioritise these key plans and projects, as well as any new initiatives emerging from the recommendations, to protect patient safety in the coming months and years, learning from best practice in other parts of the NHS.
"We acknowledge the further distress this report will cause for patients, families, and their experiences remain central to how we take this work forward.
"Our thoughts remain with all those affected at this time."
What is the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry?
The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry is a statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005, to examine the issue of abuse of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital (MAH) and to determine why the abuse happened and the range of circumstances that allowed it to happen. The inquiry was first announced on 8 September 2020. More information is available from the inquiry website. The inquiry report can be read here.
Please direct any media enquiries to Robyn Scott, NICON Policy & Communications Manager, on robyn.scott@niconfedhss.org.