Family seeking answers after video of 'disgusting' treatment of dementia suffering mother

David Raleigh

A Limerick family has sought answers from the health service executive over the “disgusting” treatment of their late dementia-suffering mother at University Hospital Limerick.

Ita Tobin (83) from Ballynanty died peacefully surrounded by her family at a nursing home on August 23rd last year.

However, after enduring the heartache of the first anniversary of Ita’s death, last Sunday, her family discovered a video circulating on social media last Monday of an interaction between their mother and a health worker at University Hospital Limerick, prior to her death.

Ita, who had been battling the brain disease dementia, had been taken into the hospital at the time with a suspected heart attack.

She had lost her husband Gabriel Hogan, a former fisherman and soccer player with Ballynanty, Pike Rovers and Shelbourne, to a heart attack, 29 years ago.

In the heartbreaking footage, which went viral on social media, the healthcare worker is heard abruptly telling Ms Tobin, “No”, after the vulnerable patient politely asks if she can have a cup of tea.

The health worker is also heard telling Tobin: “You are crazy”.

When Tobin asks the health worker what food is on the table in front of her hospital bed, the health worker is heard to reply, “you can see, so why are you asking?”.

The mobile phone video footage was recorded by another patient on the same ward as Tobin.

Tobin’s family said they are “traumatised” by the video, and they have sought answers from the HSE, the Minister for Health and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Tobin’s daughter Aisling Hogan told this reporter: “As far as I know, over 250,000 people have seen this video online. We want answers, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone; we are devastated and heartbroken.

“I am numb from it (the video), my mother’s anniversary was only the day before this video surfaced. My niece came across it on TikTok; we don't know who posted it,” said Hogan.

“My brain is going wild. If that other (patient) wasn’t in the room recording...I am sick to my stomach that someone could treat another person like that.”

“With dementia you are loosing the person twice, because in the long run you have lost them before they die.”

“I am so angry. It’s so maddening, and heartbreaking,” said Ms Hogan.

“It’s disgusting, it’s vile, how can anyone that is supposed to be a healthcare assistant treat somebody like that - it is inhumane,” she added.

“My mother didn’t ask for dementia. She was a very intelligent woman and she did a lot of her community.”

Paying tribute to her mother, she said: “Mam was just an auld dote. Everyone says the same, that she had a heart of gold and that she would do anything for you.”

“Every child that came to her door was her grandchild, even if they weren't, she treated them as if they were her own.”

“She loved everybody, she was a happy-go-lucky person. It’s just that the disease took her over, but she still smiled, and she was still pleasant.”

“She loved a muffin and a cup of tea, she lived for her blueberry muffin and tea.”

“She ran loads of programmes for children in Kileely school, years ago, after she went back to education in her forties, she did her Junior cert and Leaving cert and every adult education class that was going after that.”

“She also helped loan parents out in the community, she set up support groups for them, she was fantastic.”

Ita Tobin was originally from Kileely, lived in Ballynanty and moved in with her daughter Aisling, at their home in Caherdavin, and then a nursing home, in her final years.

Tobin said she is satisfied the video footage was recoded in May 2024, and that the healthcare assistant was supposed to have been giving “one to one” care to her mother at the time.

“My daughter had only went home for a shower that day, because usually we take (mam) in turns; so my daughter was only gone home for a shower — And that is the way my mother was spoken to and treated.”

Hogan said families with loved ones with dementia and other life debilitating conditions are under too much pressure trying to fill gaps in a healthcare system that is not adequately providing professional care.

“You can’t be there with them all the time, and sometimes it's just life that you can’t be there.”

“If you have a job to be at in the morning, you can’t be with your loved one in hospital all night, as much as you want to be.”

“And everyone in your family takes shifts, and they are then so tired and run-down, it’s actually scandalous, and it is scandalous for what the Department of Social Welfare do for carers - they give them a pittance.”

Hogan said the health worker must be “held responsible” for their behaviour towards her mother.

“My son has written to the Minister for Health and my daughter has sent an email to HIQA, so we are waiting for them to reply.”

Out of the 496 patients waiting for a bed on trolleys in overcrowded corridors and wards in hospitals nationally this Wednesday, the majority (84) were waiting for a bed in University Hospital Limerick.

A number of national health reports in respect of UHL have found the hospital overcrowded and understaffed.

A new 96-bed unit was opened and staffed at the hospital. However, overcrowding continues there.

A second 996-bedunit is to be constructed on the grounds of UHL, and a second hospital is planned on a nearby site.

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carrol MacNeill, through her private secretary, extended her “sincere condolences” to Tobin’s family on their “loss”.

MacNeill said: “I also recognise the distress and hurt that you have described arising from the recent circulation of footage relating to her care.”

“I can appreciate how upsetting it must have been to become aware of this material, particularly as it emerged around the anniversary of (her) passing.”

“This must have been an especially difficult experience for you and your family, and I recognise the emotional impact that these circumstances have had,” said Minister MacNeill.

The minister said the “responsibility” for delivering care and management of the health service rests with the HSE and “I understand that HSE Mid West is examining this matter and seeking to establish all of the relevant facts”.

“While it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific circumstances of the case while that process is ongoing, I want to assure you that concerns regarding the care, dignity and respect afforded to patients are treated with the utmost seriousness,” added the minister.