Family of dementia patient in 'vile' social media video report 'positive' meeting with UHL manager

David Raleigh

Management at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) met the family of an 83-year old dementia patient, who video footage appeared to show, being called “crazy” by a healthcare worker at the hospital.

Ian Carter, chief executive of acute and older persons services, HSE Mid West, met with the family of Ita Tobin, including her daughter Aisling Hogan and two of her grandchildren, at the hospital today, Friday.

Tobin was also told she could not have a cup of tea as she already had one, the footage showed.

The disturbing interaction between the healthcare worker and Tobin was recorded on a mobile phone by another patient, and it occurred prior to Ms Tobin’s unrelated death in August 2025.

However, Tobin’s family only became aware of the exchange after the video footage emerged on social media, last Monday.

Speaking Friday, Aisling Hogan described the meeting with Mr Carter as a “very positive” one but that the investigation was in its infancy.

“We took this as a very positive meeting, and we will be meeting Mr Carter again soon, at his request,” Ms Hogan said afterwards.

“He (Carter) said he was very concerned about it and that a full investigation has been started,” she said.

It’s understood HSE Mid West has not yet identified the healthcare worker at the centre of the video footage.

However, it is the family’s understanding that the hospital worker in question was not a HSE staff member at the time and that they were working for a private healthcare agency.

Ms Hogan said that her late mother was supposed to be receiving “one to one” care at the time the video footage was recorded.

The video was recorded at the end of May, early June 2024, they believe.

“For the record we can confirm it is my mother in the video,” said Ms Hogan in response to a number of comments posted on social media that the patient was not Ms Tobin.

Ms Hogan said she and her family were keen to ensure that HSE MidWest took meaningful and measurable action.

She said she provided Mr Carter with a list of action points she and her family wish the HSE to implement so that similar situations are avoided.

As well as seeking a full investigation, the family also asked that any healthcare workers, either at UHL or otherwise in the region, that are involved in caring for elderly, vulnerable patients - particularly dementia/Alzheimer’s patients - receive all necessary training.

Ms Hogan also requested that the HSE Mid west provide her with evidence of what training is provided to hospital workers in such circumstances and how this is being implemented.

The family also sought the HSE Mid West make a donation to dementia/Alzheimer’s care groups.

The patient’s grandson, Luke Hogan, said: “He (Carter) is still trying to establish what ward it happened, who the healthcare worker was, and what agency it was.”

“His investigation is well underway, he had a whole chronology of events in front of him,” he said.

“He (Carter) said that, after the video had circulated the clinical staff in the hospital were very disappointed and shocked that it happened,” said Mr Hogan.

Aisling Hogan said it has been an unsettling week, coping with her mother’s first anniversary last Sunday, followed 24-hours later by the emergence of the video of her mother at UHL.

“I have been crying a lot; the last few days have been very upsetting,” she said.

In the heartbreaking footage posted on social media, a healthcare worker at the hospital is heard abruptly telling Ms Tobin, “No”, after she politely asked if she can have a cup of tea.

The health worker is also heard telling Ms 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 tell her “you can see, so why are you asking”.

Hogan said she was “traumatised” and “shocked” after watching the video.

“We want answers, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. We are devastated and heartbroken,” Ms Hogan said.

“I am numb from it (the video), my mother’s anniversary was only the day before this video surfaced. My brain is going wild.”

“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.”

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

“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. She had a heart of gold and that she would do anything for you.”

In a media statement issued last Tuesday, the HSE Mid West said: “HSE Mid West is aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an interaction between a healthcare worker and a patient”.

“The footage is deeply concerning, and the behaviour depicted is wholly unacceptable.”

“It falls far short of the standards o dignity, respect, and compassionate care that all patients are entitled to expect.”

“Work is underway to identity the service involved, as the specific location, date and full circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been veritied.”

“HSE Mid West is actively working to establish the facts. HSE Mid West takes all concerns regarding patient care and patient safety extremely seriously.”

“Once the relevant service has been identified the matter will be reviewed in accordance with the HE's patient safety and incident management framework.”

“As enquiries are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carrol MacNeill, through her private secretary, extended her “sincere condolences” to Ms Tobin’s family on their “loss”, in correspondence sent to the family and seen by this reporter.

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,” added Minister MacNeill.

HSE Mid West was asked for comment on Friday.