Our elders deserve dignity and the Government has a duty to protect its citizens – shock RTE programme showed failing
NURSING home group Emeis Ireland is under the spotlight following shocking revelations this week on an RTE Prime Time Investigates programme.
It exposed multiple failings at Residence
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A new RTE investigation uncovered how residents were being treated in the nursing home
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Natasha Newsome Drennan has urged the government to take action to protect its citizens
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The Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is now reviewing all EMEIS homes, but it is a terrible indictment of the industry and not the first time abuse has been uncovered in
EMEIS has apologised and said the findings were 'deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable'. It has also launched a review.
The HIQA investigation will hopefully unvcover the extent of the abuse but it is clear a lot needs to change.
Older people should be treated with dignity and respect in their later years and their
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READ MORE OPINION
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IRELAND'S older people deserve dignity – and the highest-quality care.
What we have witnessed in the
But sadly, this is not the first time we have seen scandals in the care sector. We have had the Emily Case, Brandan Case, Grace Case, Áras Attracta and many more.
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For over a decade, professional bodies, experts and advocates have pointed to weak regulation, failures in standards and an absence of safeguarding, all on the watch of
This programme points to the need for better regulation of nursing homes and the need for adult safeguarding legislation. The Irish Association of Social Workers has demanded this for years, as has Sinn Fein.
We need mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect, and a legal right of entry for social care teams to investigate individual complaints.
BROKEN PROMISE
Sinn Fein is committed to empowering older people to live independently, building a
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We have advocated for a comprehensive social care policy to support independent living for people and groups with identified additional needs, including targeted funding to tackle loneliness and isolation, particularly among older people and people living alone.
People deserve to live in their own
But waiting lists for home support are growing and the promised statutory home-care scheme never materialised.
Another broken promise by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
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The State should support older people to 'age in place', through home support and adaptation grants. Long-term residential care should be available for those who want or need it, but it should not be the default option.
Long-term residential care will, however, always be the appropriate care setting for some. Our ambition must be to provide assessable, afford-able, safe and quality care.
REALISTIC PROPOSALS
Sinn Fein has set out realistic, deliverable proposals to improve access to care for all our citizens.
We proposed to mandate the Commission on Care to future-proof the model of care for aging. We would support family carers, as outlined in our Charter for Carers, and invest in day services for older people.
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We would also support specific programmes for those with dementia,
We also point to weaknesses in regulation which have led to a failure in standards in some care settings, and instances of neglect and abuse. This is intolerable — and it is a scandal that this
Sinn Fein would urgently enact adult safeguarding legislation.
This would provide a legal framework to support safeguarding, additional power for social workers and relevant social care professionals — and an agency, separate from the
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We would legislate to provide a legal right of entry to any designated care centre for relevant social workers and social care professionals.
We would also legislate for a care partner scheme similar to that which operates in the north of
WAKE-UP CALL
This scheme was highly successful at reducing isolation and improving health outcomes during the
It gives a right to a family or friends acting as care partners to combat isolation and, during public health emergencies, assist in care-giving in residential facilities.
HIQA regulation is not enough. We cannot dismiss abuse or neglect or adopt an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. Our elderly citizens deserve to receive the highest quality of care and to be kept safe from harm.
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We also need to invest in public nursing home capacity.
Over 70 per cent of nursing home capacity is now private. But privatisation of nursing home care is wrong.
We need to tip the balance back in favour of public capacity, with robust regulations and appropriate safeguarding.
It is the duty of any Government to keep all citizens safe and protected from harm.
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The Prime Time program is another wake-up call.
We can no longer accept or tolerate sub-standard care or abuse and neglect of our elderly citizens.
They deserve so much better.
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It points to the need for better regulation of nursing homes and the need for adult safeguarding legislation
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16 hours ago
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‘No one should be handled like dad was' – Family go public after shocking Dublin care home exposé in ‘bigger issue' call
THE family of a vulnerable resident who appeared in a nursing home exposé has declared: 'No one should be handled like our father was.' Advertisement 4 Audeon Guy is a resident at Beneavin Manor nursing home Credit: RTE 4 Paul Guy described his shock and distress at seeing footage of his father's treatment Credit: RTE Both are run by Amid the fallout from the explosive show, the Guy family described their shock and distress at seeing footage of their 80-year-old father Audeon being roughly handled at Beneavin Manor. Seething son Paul Guy raged: 'No one should have to go through what we've seen. 'No one should be handled like our father was. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS "These are human people - people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.' Harrowing undercover Undercover investigators posing as healthcare workers went inside the two OAP Audeon's daughter Sarah says relatives were left distraught by the treatment of their beloved dad. Advertisement Most read in Irish News She said: 'Our dad is the loveliest man. 'He'd do anything for you, really kind, loving, charitable and a big hugger.' RTE Fair City viewers left saying same thing as Carrigstown favourite makes shock return Dubliner Audeon was diagnosed with Lewy body Unable to return home, Paul, Sarah and their other siblings Kassandra and Dave began the search for a suitable nursing home for their father. Advertisement They turned to the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), and spent days sifting through the regulator's nursing home inspection reports. Their father Audeon moved into Beneavin Manor in January 2025 where he was assigned one-to-one care. Paul recalled: 'For Beneavin Manor we read the reports, and it seemed to be a very safe place to go. "We looked at the brochures, I went and did the tour. It seemed to be fine.' Advertisement FAMILY'S CONCERNS But even before the Paul explained: 'He was actually left alone many times. 'I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity. 'I've witnessed him cold with a blanket wrapped around him and I've witnessed really poor personal care in terms of his toenails left for weeks to grow and rot. Advertisement 'On another day there was urine all over the floor in his bathroom and there was no toilet seat. It just seemed to be a consistent flow of poor care for people who are in dire need of attention.' SWEEPING REVIEW Hiqa chiefs have launched a sweeping review of all nursing homes operated by the shamed Emeis Ireland group, who operate 27 facilities across the country. "These are human people - people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.' Paul Guy But Paul demanded accountability. He said: 'When I saw the actual footage, I was shocked, but it wasn't a revelation. Advertisement 'That's what is unfortunate. We had done everything. "We put in all the complaints, notified everyone that was required, got responses back, acknowledgement of all their mistakes, plans being put in place, and this still happened, and it happened to all the other people in the footage as well. 'That's the bigger issue - there's no accountability for this.' The Guy family also called for the Government to urgently enact the Adult Safeguarding Bill – a law which they say could protect vulnerable individuals like their father from harm, abuse and neglect. Advertisement Watch the full interview tonight on RTE Prime Time on RTE One and RTE Player 4 Undercover footage showed Audeon Guy being roughly handled Credit: RTE 4 Paul, Sarah, dad Audeon, Kassandra, and Dave in happier times
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21 hours ago
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'I was shocked' -- Family impacted by RTE Investigates nursing home scandal speak out
The family of a nursing home resident who appeared in last week's RTE Investigates have called for accountability for their father and other's impacted by the scandal. In a new interview airing on RTÉ Prime Time tonight, the Guy family from Dublin have described their distress at seeing footage of their father Audeon being roughly handled at the Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin. The documentary, which featured two nursing homes – Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise, which are both run by private company Emeis Ireland, left viewers in shock at real life footage gathered by two undercover healthcare assistants. Audeon Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates 'No one should have to go through what we've seen,'Paul Guy told RTÉ Investigates. 'No one should be handled like our father was. These are human people – people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.' The documentary highlighted a number of repeated care failings including chronic staff shortages, vulnerable residents left unsupervised, the inappropriate handling of frail older people and a lack of basic supplies such as towels, bedsheets, gloves and sanitary wipes. Paul Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates 'Our dad is the loveliest man' said Sarah Guy, daughter of 80-year-old Audeon added. 'He'd do anything for you, really kind, loving, charitable and a big hugger.' Audeon was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia following a particularly bad fall late last year. His condition causes severe confusion and hallucinations, meaning he needs around the clock care. Paul, Sarah and their other siblings Kassandra and Dave began the search for a suitable nursing home for their father, having turned to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for support. 'I think there were 17 nursing home we applied for, and we went through all the HIQA reports for every nursing home,' Paul said. 'For Beneavin Manor we read the reports, and it seemed to be a very safe place to go. We looked at the brochures, I went and did the tour. It seemed to be fine.' Audeon Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates Their father Audeon moved into Beneavin Manor in January 2025 where he was assigned one-to-one care, however before long they started to have concerns. 'He was actually left alone many times,' Paul explained. 'I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity. I've witnessed really poor personal care in terms of his toenails left for weeks to grow and rot.' 'On another day there was urine all over the floor in his bathroom and there was no toilet seat. It just seemed to be a consistent flow of poor care for people who are in dire need of attention.' Paul, Sarah, Kassandra and Dave Guy with their father Audeon Guy (centre). Pic: RTÉ Investigates Shocked by the level of neglect, Paul and his siblings started to make complaints to management at the nursing home. Their emails referenced concerns about a general lack of carers and residents being left alone. The family also referenced residents who wanted to use the toilet being left unattended for lengthy periods of time, while they were worried their father had on occasion been inappropriately handled and sometimes did not have enough clothes because his laundry had not been done. In early March 2025 their detailed complaint was upheld with management at Beneavin Manor assuring the family corrective actions had been put in place to address their concerns. However, three weeks later, RTE's undercover carer captured disturbing footage including their father. In the startling scene he is directed along a corridor at pace to his bedroom by two carers to change his incontinence pad. The carers steered his walking frame while one held the waist of his trousers. Confused Audeon lashed out before being forced into his room, his trousers pulled down and pushed into an armchair. 'When I saw the actual footage, I was shocked, but it wasn't a revelation'Paul said. 'That's what is unfortunate. We had done everything. We put in all the complaints, notified everyone that was required, got responses back, acknowledgement of all their mistakes, plans being put in place, and this still happened, and it happened to all the other people in the footage as well. That's the bigger issue – there's no accountability for this.' In the wake of the documentary, Emeis Ireland apologised to Audeon's family, saying the standard of care depicted in the footage was unacceptable. Among the actions the family was assured have now been taken to immediately safeguard their father is a full investigation into staff practice and additional management supervision training and staff. As the family now begin the search for alternative care for their father, they stressed that the Government must move urgently to enact the Adult Safeguarding Bill – a vital law which could protect vulnerable individuals like their father from harm, abuse and neglect. 'We hope this brings some positive results and awareness to all that's happened to make sure our dad or anyone's loved one never has to go through this ever again,' Sarah continued. Watch the full interview tonight on RTÉ Prime Time, Tuesday at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTE Player
