HEALTH SERVICES
18% increase in safeguarding concerns made to HSE
Psychological and physical abuse most common
June 16, 2023
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The number of safeguarding concerns reported to the HSE jumped by 18% last year, a new report has shown.
The figures also reveal that the total number of elder abuse concerns exceeded 4,000 for the first time since the HSE started collecting this data.
The National Safeguarding Office (NSO), along with nine safeguarding and protection teams (SPTs), were established in 2015 with the aim of protecting the welfare and safety of adults availing of HSE health and social services who may be vulnerable and at risk of abuse.
Each community health organisation (CHO) has its own SPT, which are responsible for assessing and managing community referrals, as well as a range of safeguarding functions, including quality assurance, oversight and advisory support to the HSE.
According to the NSO Annual Report 2022, a total of 13,700 safeguarding concerns were reported last year, an 18% increase on 2021’s figure. This is an average of 1,114 concerns reported each month.
Of the 13,700 safeguarding concerns, 9,413 related to adults aged18-64 - a 19%
increase on 2021’s figure, while just over 4,200 related to adults aged 65 and older – a 13% increase on 2021’s figure. Some 1,738 concerns related to those aged 80 and older – a 32% increase on 2021’s figure.
CHO7, which covers the areas of Kildare, west Wicklow, Dublin west, Dublin south city and Dublin south west, had the highest reporting rate, with 2,411 concerns reported in 2022.
However, the biggest increase seen between 2021 and 2022 was found in CHO9, which covers the areas of Dublin north, Dublin north central and Dublin north west. In 2021, 1,456 concerns were reported compared to 2,061 in 2022 – a 42% increase.
According to NSO general manager, Tim Hanly, the publication of this report “is a timely reminder of the importance of adult safeguarding across our health and social care services”.
He noted that the number of elder abuse reports has risen to over 4,000 and he pointed out that the detection and response to this issue “is significantly challenged by a deficit in awareness and understanding, perhaps even recognition of the issue among staff, families and communities”.
“As our population ages, elder abuse has become a growing concern with an estimated one in six older adults experiencing some form of abuse or neglect each year,” he said.
Overall, the person most likely to be the cause of concern was a fellow service user/peer (57%), an immediate family member (21%) or staff (17%) .
Psychological and physical abuse were the main types of abuse reported, although levels of reported financial abuse and neglect increase with age.
The annual report can be viewed here.