Her testimony, delivered at the public inquiry into abuse at the facility, highlighted the challenging conditions faced by staff.
Keenan, who worked at Muckamore Abbey from 1973 to 2016, described various incidents where she was physically harmed by patients, including a severe incident where a patient threw a fire extinguisher at her. She noted that the patients' behaviors were often challenging but not always intended to harm. She emphasized the need to build relationships with patients, even if it meant putting herself at risk.
The retired nurse also spoke about the lack of public awareness and support for staff dealing with such incidents, particularly in a learning disability unit. She recounted instances of verbal and physical assaults, including threats of rape, but mentioned that staff often tolerated lower-level injuries to protect patients from being seen negatively.
Keenan also described the diminishing patient experience at the hospital due to the removal of activities as part of modernization efforts. She reflected on her pride in her work and her efforts in helping with behavioral techniques, despite now finding it difficult to acknowledge her time there.
The inquiry chairman, Tom Kark KC, stressed the importance of staff coming forward to share both positive and negative experiences at the hospital. The staff evidence phase of the inquiry is expected to be completed by February 2024.