Family told to remove loved one from Cork nursing home after raising concerns over care

Irish Examiner

17-07-2025

The family of a 67-year-old woman with a rare disease living in a Cork nursing home have been told to remove her because of their 'troubling' conduct after they raised serious concerns about her care.
Riverstick Care Centre imposed a one-month deadline for the removal of the resident, but the Murphy family have desperately sought a new care home to no avail.
The centre is part of the Silverstream nursing home chain, owned by Dutch equity firm Waterland.
Carolann Murphy developed a rare but devastating neurological condition called corticobasal degeneration about 10 years ago.
'She cannot move any part of her body, she cannot speak, or communicate in any way, and has not been able to do so for many years,' her son Andrew said.
'She has also been peg-fed for around five years now.'
Her husband, Fergus, cared for Carolann until she developed pneumonia in mid-2023.
After treatment at Cork University Hospital, she was transferred to Riverstick.
'In May 2024 my mother was found with a broken arm by a member of staff,' Andrew said.
'There was then a long delay in getting an X-ray.'
It is understood the scan was given by a mobile X-ray unit.
They sought answers from the nursing home and asked An Garda Síochána to visit the home.
The incident is under review by the ombudsman, but the nursing home wrote to the family on June 20, 2025, in a letter seen by the Irish Examiner.
Carolann has twice been taken to CUH.
This is acknowledged by Silverstream in that same letter.
The private monthly fees come to €7,000 and the family bring in prescribed food.
Andrew said: 'After our repeated questioning, on a day-to-day basis life is being made very difficult by some nursing home staff for my father who spends most of his day by his wife's side.'
His wife Jennifer added: 'This is about a real person with real care needs."
Then on June 24 Silverstream wrote, saying: 'We cannot allow your conduct to be continued in the home as it is troubling other residents and staff and is impacting the provision of care services to other residents in the home.
'I am formally providing 30 days' notice for you to arrange alternative accommodation, i.e. by Thursday, 24th July 2025.'
The Murphys have now approached around 10 nursing homes. Andrew's sisters Ciara and Jean are also supporting his father.
'We have explored all avenues and I'm utterly shocked that no one has been able to help,' Andrew said.
I feel very let down not just by the mismanagement of the nursing home but also by the numerous State agencies who have failed to help.
Advocacy group Care Champions are not familiar with this case, but have seen these notices given by other nursing homes.
"It is unacceptable that families in some private care facilities can face a 28-day discharge notices as a result of raising legitimate concerns or have questions about their loved one's care," Majella Beattie said.
Silverstream said they cannot comment on individual situations, but added: "However, we can confirm that a family of a resident has made allegations of a nature similar to those set out. Those allegations have been fully investigated internally and independently via a third party.
"We fully stand behind the quality of care provided by our dedicated team, as well as the fairness and robustness of our handling procedures; and remain confident in the integrity of both our internal processes and external governance systems.'
They are committed to 'the highest standards of care', the statement continued.
'This is driven by the dedication and professionalism of our exceptional team, whose work is consistently reflected in our positive Hiqa outcomes,' it added.
'In the rare and exceptional circumstances where a decision is made to ask a resident to leave, it is never taken lightly.
"We fully recognise our moral and legal responsibility to continue supporting that resident until a suitable alternative home is identified — one that fully meets their individual needs and circumstances.'
Hiqa said the centre was inspected in May and a report will shortly be published.
The ombudsman's office said while most reviews take three months, reviews of nursing home care are often more complex.
A spokeswoman for the HSE Southwest said: 'HSE South West has no input into or oversight over a private nursing home's day to day operations.
"If a private nursing home terminates a resident's contract, the HSE may be able to assist in sourcing alternative accommodation under the Fair Deal scheme.
"All public and private nursing homes are required to have an accessible and effective complaints procedure, including an appeals process and to ensure there is access to independent advocacy services under the Health Act 2007."