An investigation by HSE Mid West has confirmed that a viral video circulating on social media involving a dementia patient and a care worker did not occur at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) or involve any of its staff.
The footage, which was covered heavily in the local and national media, showed a distressing interaction between a healthcare worker and an elderly patient, sparking anger and concern online.
Local woman Aisling Hogan publicly identified the lady in the video as her late mother, Ita Tobin. She has now issued an unreserved apology, and said that her family are “deeply sorry” for the mistaken identification.
In the video, the lady asks for a cup of tea, to which she is told “no.” The health care assistant tells the woman: “You are crazy. And you are making me crazy. You’ve just finished your tea.”
HSE Mid West confirmed in a statement on Sunday night that the incident in the video did not occur at UHL or any HSE Mid West facility and does not involve a member of UHL or HSE Mid West staff.
HSE Mid West said the hospital where the incident actually occurred has confirmed that the footage originated there.
The patient involved has now been identified and the family concerned has been informed, it added.
HSE Mid West said it has informed the family whose relative was incorrectly identified in media reports that the video does not show their family member and is not footage from UHL.
It is understood the incident had a huge impact on staff at UHL, who faced criticism when the video was publicised.
‘WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON STAFF ACROSS THE MID WEST’
In a statement, a spokesperson for HSE Mid West said: “What is shown in the footage is deeply upsetting, concerns about the treatment of vulnerable patients must always be taken seriously and properly investigated.
“Our responsibility was to establish the facts before drawing conclusions about the patient, the healthcare worker or the hospital.
“That process has now been completed. The facts are clear: this was not a UHL or HSE Mid West incident and did not involve our staff.
“We are particularly concerned about the impact on staff across the Mid West, many of whom were subjected to criticism, abuse and threats in relation to an incident for which they had no involvement or responsibility.
“Scrutiny of healthcare services is legitimate and necessary; abuse and threats are not.”
The spokesperson added: “Our focus throughout has been on establishing the facts, protecting the dignity and privacy of the patients and families involved, and supporting our staff.
“We believe that was, and remains, the responsible approach.”
Aisling Hogan, the woman who believed the lady in the video was her mother, and who shared the video on social media, said she was “deeply sorry for getting this wrong.”
“I want to publicly correct something very important regarding a video which I previously shared and which I genuinely believed showed my late mother, Ita Tobin,” said Ms Hogan.
“Following an investigation by University Hospital Limerick (UHL), I have now been informed and accept that the woman shown in that video was not my mother and that the incident did not take place in UHL.
“I am deeply sorry for getting this wrong.
“When I first saw the video, myself and my family genuinely and wholeheartedly believed the woman was our mother. We wholeheartedly apologise for the upset caused.”