Runwood Homes managing director resigns as ‘horrific’ care home findings published

Runwood Homes managing director Logan Logeswaran has resigned following an investigation into a Northern Ireland care home that revealed the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of residents.

Mr Logeswaran announced his resignation earlier this week ahead of the publication of a damning report on Dunmurry Manor in Belfast by the Commissioner for Older People, Eddie Lynch.

Announcing his findings, Mr Lynch said vulnerable residents at the home had “experienced a horrific catalogue of inhuman and degrading treatment, with many spending their last few months living in appalling circumstances”.

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He added: “There were significant failures in the safeguarding and care of many residents in Dunmurry Manor, with residents suffering harm through physical and sexual assaults.”

The report lists 59 recommendations to the authorities involved for change to the way care for older people is commissioned, regulated, monitored and delivered and is damning in its assessment of the regulator, RQIA, which it said had reported that the service was meeting standards of care when many of the incidents took place.

Gordon Sanders, CEO of Runwood Homes, told The Belfast Telegraph: “The Board of Directors acknowledge and take full responsibility for these failures and the lack of oversight that could have ensured they did not happen. The managing director, Logan Logeswaran, has in fact resigned his position from Runwood Homes Group UK as of yesterday.”

Mr Sanders added: “I am truly sorry we failed to deliver the high standards of care our residents at Dunmurry Manor had the right to expect and that, because of those failures, they and their families have had to endure this distressing experience.”

The CEO said a new Northern Ireland senior management team had been put in place since August 2017 and was working to put things right at the home.

He cited an interim report by the Department of Health which said the home was now functioning well.

A spokesman for the RQIA said: “RQIA acknowledges the publication of the commissioner’s report into Dunmurry Manor Care Home.  We will carefully consider this report and provide a full response in due course.

“This report reflects the experiences of the residents, carers and families who submitted evidence to this investigation, and we recognise the distress they have experienced.  We accept that only a small number of Dunmurry Manor relatives chose to contact RQIA with their concerns.  We have taken steps to increase our visibility in care settings, to ensure we hear and take account of these voices.

“The key responsibility for providing safe and effective care in every care setting rests with the service provider.  Health and social care trusts and the HSC Board also play a key role in the oversight and monitoring of the care they commission in care homes.  We routinely inspect all care homes, and when problems arise, residents and their families can be assured that RQIA will intervene on their behalf.”