Dillon has ‘reservations’ over Western Care allegations

MAYO TD Alan Dillon has expressed ‘reservations’ about some of the allegations made by former Western Care staff against the organisation.

Deputy Dillon was responding to a recent HIQA report that found the charity to be non-compliant in four specific areas.

There have also been several issues regarding Individualised Services raised in this newspaper by former employees of Western Care in recent months.

“I would have reservations in those who are raising those issues. Not many of them have come to me in relation to them. Yes, there has been protective disclosures made within the organisation. I welcome that. But Western Care has put its hand up, acknowledged that there are weaknesses in certain areas and they have put together a roadmap in addressing the challenges,” Deputy Dillon told The Mayo News.

“I would certainly look at challenging the accuracy of some claims. I would also like to highlight the positive aspects of the service that Western Care has continued to deliver over many decades, and I would also refute any suggestion that Western Care haven’t their service users at the heart of everything they do because they certainly do.

“And I think that’s really important.

“To brand Western Care as a place where it fosters a culture of intimidation and fear, that is absolutely something that I would certainly refute.”

'Constructive dialogue'

Deputy Dillon called for ‘a constructive dialogue’ to resolve ongoing issues at Western Care, which employs approximately 1,000 people.

He also described suggestions that the HSE would not fund any new Western Care services as ‘a very poor decision’ and called for its reversal.

The Fine Gael TD also repeated his call for more funding to be provided to the charity, which is currently operating at a deficit of over €8 million.

Most of Western Care’s funding comes from the HSE, with the rest being raised by donations from the public.

“I think it’s crucially important that a vital service like Western Care is supported like all other voluntary disability services and were no different and other essential providers across the country,” said Deputy Dillon, who accused the HSE of ‘penalising’ the organisation in light of the recent HIQA report.

“I accept that these findings are serious in nature, but it should not impact their current delivery of services or even expanding services into the future” stated Deputy Dillon.

'Huge challenges'

He acknowledged that the organisation faced ‘huge challenges’ but said a ‘parallel process’ was needed to address the recommendations of the HIQA report.

Deputy Dillon also expressed his full support for Western Care and its board despite the recent HIQA findings.

The charity was found to be non-compliant in the areas of Governance and Management, Protection, Positive Behavioural Support and Risk Management Procedures.

The report said that this was having a negative impact on the delivery of consistent, good quality support to people with disabilities who lived in its residential centres.

“They deliver a fantastic service for anyone who is actually using their services; they can’t speak highly enough of both the staff and the service that’s delivered,” he said.

“Like all organisations they have challenges. Funding is a hugely important area where voluntary organisations have huge challenges in terms of the grant aid that they get from the department, but the level of need is continuing to increase.”