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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 11:07 13/12/2007 Ministry orders probe into deaths of seven mental institution patients By Ruth Sinai, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, mentally disabled  The Ministry of Social Affairs has ordered a committee to investigate serious complaints against the country's largest home for the mentally disabled, including the deaths of seven patients this year that were never probed. The complaints against the Neve Menashe Home for the Mentally Disabled include accusations of violence and improper conduct toward dependents. A Neve Menashe staff member wrote anonymously to Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog last month, describing how the head of the home's closed-ward had smashed a bottle on a patient's head, causing him a deep cut above the eyebrow. Another patient had scalding water poured over him. Advertisement The home's management did not report these incidents nor was a police complaint ever filed, as required. The complainant said that after a closed-ward staffer had complained of severe violence against patients several years ago, the complainant was suspended. Although an examination committee had looked into the affair and recommended removing the closed-ward head, this was not implemented because the workers' union objected. One of the union members is related to head of the closed-ward. A group of staff members sent Herzog an anonymous complaint in October regarding the death of seven mentally disabled charges since the beginning of the year. The group wrote that the deaths had not been investigated, although two of the deceased had been in good health. The home's doctor, Yoav Merrick, said he did not notice anything out of order in the death reports, and that the death rate this year was similar to that of previous years. The letter listed several deficiencies in the home's management, including cronyism in appointments and buying equipment. "Since the arrival of director Eli Meged, a political appointment, there is complete anarchy in running the home," the workers wrote in their complaint. "All he does is create chaos among the workers." Related articles: Jerusalem man charged with murder escapes from mental hospital Mental patient allegedly strangles fellow patient to death Database upgrade threatens mental patients' privacy Bookmark to del.icio.us Bored with Israel A study shows U.S. Jews don't feel it's important to care about the Holy Land. League of their own The PA's first unit of policewomen direct traffic in the West Bank.

Today Online Document reveals progress on core issues at Camp David Responses: 42 Rosner: U.S. report on on Iran should've been tossed, not published Responses: 15 Municipality lawyer: J'lem Arab students discriminated against Responses: 5 Avineri: U.S. only effective on Mideast conflict in war or talks Responses: 6 Itching powder delivered to MKs sparks Knesset probe Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain Who believes in intelligence reports? American Jews are losing interest in Israel Guest: redivision of Jerusalem will lead to terrible bloodshed A more traditional Reform movement (WTR) More Headlines 10:30 Document shows progress on core issues at Camp David summit 07:42 Israel-PA talks resume under shadow of Camp David lessons 05:23 Gov't to Clinton in 2000: Special authority for J'lem's 'holy basin' 10:33 U.S. senator to call for new Iran report using same intelligence as NIE 08:57 Municipality lawyer: J'lem Arab students discriminated against 10:32 Teachers, gov't officials reach deal, students go back to school 08:58 High Court: State must brief court on plans to reinforce Sderot homes 11:07 Ministry orders probe into deaths of seven mental institution patients 10:41 World Bank: PA economy can't pick up when mobility is limited 02:22 Itching powder delivered to MKs sparks Knesset investigation Previous Editions Select Day 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 30 nov 29 nov

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