A mother of a 31-year-old man with severe learning difficulties described a care review meeting as traumatising. The review involved a video call with Liaison Care, an England-based company. Dawn Jones participated from her home with her son Timothy, who is non-verbal. Timothy's specialist service manager Sophie Spence joined from her office.

The three-hour call included a request for Spence to demonstrate how Timothy behaves when distressed, including biting. Jones said the panel showed no sensitivity to her son's history at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim. Spence called the request unreasonable over video.

Timothy resided at Muckamore Abbey Hospital for 12 years. The Belfast Health Trust operated the facility for adults with special needs. A police investigation started in 2017 over ill-treatment allegations. A public inquiry examined patient abuse, with its last hearing in March 2025.

The hospital planned to close in June 2024, but delays occurred due to incomplete community placements. Jones testified at the inquiry about abuse her son experienced there. The Belfast Trust apologised to the Jones family and is addressing the issue with Liaison Care.

Positive Futures chief executive Agnes Lunny said her staff found the review process appalling. The charity supports people with learning disabilities. Lunny noted concerns from other families about potential service cuts. Liaison Care reviews domiciliary care packages in Northern Ireland, including for former Muckamore patients.

The Department of Health stated that trusts use independent firms for care plan reviews of complex needs cases. Officials requested more details from trusts after queries. The department advised contacting the relevant trust with concerns.