Life is good: Mother says her son leaves Muckamore Abbey for own home
Timothy, who spent 12 years at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, moves to a bungalow with 24-hour support as a public inquiry into the facility advances its final report
Timothy, a non-verbal man with complex needs, has moved from Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim to his own bungalow, with 24-hour support from three staff from the charity Positive Futures. His mother, Dawn Jones, told BBC News NI that 'Life is good' now that he is living in the community.
Timothy spent 12 years at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim. His relocation to his own home is part of an ongoing resettlement program aimed at moving residents into community placements with the right support in place. In his bungalow, he has access to a kitchen and, with supervision, can make himself a cup of tea. He has changed—'he looks happier, he looks more in control of his environment,' according to Ms Jones. Although Timothy is non-verbal, he has begun to make small noises, which his family sees as a hopeful development. He can go out basically whenever he wants to, signaling his wishes by heading to the front door and getting his coat; staff take him to shops or out in the car, depending on his preference. The arrangements include 24-hour support from three Positive Futures staff.
Ms Jones said the changes have rippled beyond Timothy. 'My life and the family's life has changed so much for the better,' she said. 'We're all happy, we realise that Timothy is safe. Now he's in a happy environment,' she said. 'Life is good now.'
Agnes Lunny, chief executive of Positive Futures, said the charity had a 'genuine commitment to listening to people whose needs are a little bit different to the rest of ours'. 'This is not a miracle, this is the result of very hard work,' she said. She added that anyone could 'be supported to live in the community' with 'the right support from the right people'.
What happened at Muckamore Abbey Hospital? A major police investigation began in 2017 after allegations of ill-treatment at the hospital began to emerge. The final public hearing of the inquiry into the abuse took place in early March. It is due to publish its findings later this year. The hospital was due to close in June 2024 but this was delayed as alternative accommodation placements in the community had not been found for all the remaining patients. There are currently 13 patients still living in the hospital. The Department of Health (DoH) said the majority will be resettled by the end of the calendar year and that the department remains committed to the closure of the hospital. Twenty-four patients have been resettled from Muckamore since August 2022. Ms Lunny said the remaining patients 'also have a right to live in the community'. 'We need that resource moved from the hospitals into the community,' she said, 'but we also have to remember that until alternatives in the community are found, we have to be very careful to meet the needs of the people who still reside there.'
The inquiry and resettlement timeline are closely watched, as health officials and advocacy groups push to shift care from institutional settings to community-based supports where possible. While Timothy’s move signals a positive development for one family, officials say the broader goal remains the safe, dignified transition of all remaining residents as resources and suitable community options become available.