Two people moved from Cork disability centre ‘for their own safety' after incident with another resident
disability
centre had to be moved to another house 'for their own safety' after an incident with another resident, the health and safety watchdog has said.
The
Health Information and Quality Authority
(Hiqa) published 28 inspection reports on disability services including one on an unannounced visit to Cork City North 13
centre
, a facility run by Horizons.
It was conducted on March 20th on foot of unsolicited information about the 'quality of care and support provided to residents'.
At the time of the inspection, the provider was housing eight residents, a number of whom raised concerns about the behaviour of another resident.
READ MORE
One resident said this person, admitted in April of last year, was banging on doors throughout the home, which they said was 'frightening'.
The resident stayed with a family member for a number of nights because they were 'upset' in response to the incidents.
Another resident asked to speak to the inspector privately, telling them they were unhappy living there and did not feel safe there.
'One staff member told the inspector that in response to an incident two weeks before the inspection had taken place, they had to move two residents to another house 'for their safety',' the report notes.
Hiqa's inspection also highlighted how the disability centre did not alert the chief inspector of an allegation or confirmed incident of abuse of resident in the centre within three working days.
A complaint was made regarding the quality of care and support provided to a resident in the centre in January of last year, the report said.
The complainant noted an alleged incident in November of last year where a resident had received marks to their arm which they stated had been caused by another person living in the centre.
'The alleged injury had been reviewed by staff nurses working in the centre where it had been deemed to be as a result of a medical issue,' the report said, adding that this was not reported to the Office of Chief Inspector.
A number of incidents were noted pertaining to the impact of one resident's behaviour on others including banging and kicking doors in their home and going into residents' bedrooms and waking them.
However, the report said there was no evidence to suggest this had been acknowledged or considered as 'psychological abuse' and had not been reported.
The inspectors said residents were not protected from the risk of harm or from all forms of abuse.
In the compliance plan submitted to Hiqa, the provider confirmed the resident who was admitted in April of last year was no longer living in the centre. It also outlined plans to improve rostering and address staff shortages.

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Irish Times
33 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 22nd: On emergency dental treatment, Áras candidates and vulgar language
Sir – The Dáil held a two-hour debate last week highlighting the appalling lack of dental services for medical card holders who are among the most vulnerable patients in the State. I am a dentist in a busy urban practice in Dublin where over 90 per cent of our patients are medical card holders. We provide a walk-in emergency service treating severe toothache and acute oral sepsis. Untreated, these conditions can result in serious medical morbidity requiring hospital admission. In addition to self referral, we receive referrals from some of the major acute adult hospitals in Dublin, from local HSE clinics and even occasionally from the Dublin Dental Hospital. The provision of emergency dental care is a fundamental care requirement, but incredibly, the HSE does not provide emergency dental care for the majority of medical card holders in Ireland. READ MORE I am seeing medical card patients on a daily basis who are travelling increasing distances to access urgently required treatments. This is despite the fact that medical card holders often have complex care requirements precipitated by medical co-morbidity and widespread dental disease including rampant caries and generalised periodontal infection. Multiple treatments are regularly required to alleviate pain and stabilise chronic dental disease, but the HSE does not reimburse many of the treatments provided. Alarmingly, I care for a lot of patients who despite advancing pain and swelling are reticent to attend for treatment as they are unsure of what treatments the HSE will pay for on their behalf. Provision of emergency dental care is further hampered by the exodus of large numbers of dentists from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), and a difficulty in recruitment due to a long cumbersome application process for new dentists. The paucity of emergency dental care services for medical card holders needs to be addressed urgently, if we are to stem the harm of untreated dental disease in our most vulnerable patient cohort. – Yours, etc, DARAGH FAGAN, Malahide Road, Dublin 3. Presidential election Sir, – Mary Hanafin suggested at the MacGill Summer School (' It will be an 'insult' if Fianna Fáil don't enter presidential race ', July 19th) that there is still 'not enough understanding' between communities in Northern Ireland or between North and South to justify extending presidential voting rights. It's difficult to see how this argument holds. Even putting aside the short-sighted partitionism, it's more than a little patronising to imply that civic equality must be earned rather than extended. People in Northern Ireland are not politically naïve; they live daily with the consequences of all-island decision-making and have done so since 1921. That effigies are burned on bonfires is deplorable – even more so when accompanied by explicit racist and sectarian messaging – but that doesn't justify withholding a democratic right from an entire population. Political understanding is not something we withhold until conditions are perfect; it's something we cultivate through equal participation. If the fundamental concern is mistrust or division, then the answer surely lies in more democratic engagement, not less. It's also hard to square Ms Hanafin's stance with the fact that she served in the government that co-signed the Belfast Agreement – and now seeks the nomination of the party that successfully fielded Mary McAleese in 1997 on a platform of building bridges. At least 141 countries already grant such rights. Why shouldn't we? – Yours, etc, GÁIBHIN McGRANAGHAN, Dunmurry, Belfast. Sir, – With what is looking like being an increasingly packed presidential election dance card this autumn, one way of whittling down the candidates at the first televised debate, might be to have them all perform Riverdance. (' Somebody has to speak for the Irish people': Michael Flatley 'seriously' considering presidential bid, ' July 19th). Michael Flatley could direct this long line of hoofers which would doubtless be of great 'benefit to the Irish people'. – Yours, etc, SEAN BOYLE, Singapore. Sir, – I see that the latest celebrity to declare an interest in running for the presidency has stated that he wishes to become a 'voice for the people'. Would it be too much to ask that candidates, potential candidates, commentators and assorted columnists, before they express their vision, hopes, policies, intentions or desires in respect of the office, study Article 13 of Bunreacht na hÉireann? We might be spared a lot of meaningless verbiage and pointless virtue signalling if they do so carefully. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL O'DWYER, Clogheen, Cork. R eluctant repealers Sir, – Breda O'Brien writes about abortion rates (' As abortions triple when will we admit that reluctant repealers were profoundly wrong, ' July 20th). Many abortions, initiated by the person themselves, involve the morning after pill. Others are done by families who have gotten a profoundly upsetting medical diagnosis and are trying to do the best for their family and an ultimately failed pregnancy. My heart especially goes out to that last group who must go through things I would never wish upon anyone. My judgment goes out to none of them – if they don't feel ready to have a child, it is certainly not my place to disagree with them. I do wonder about folks like Breda O'Brien, however. She still seems to want to battle the availability of abortion ostensibly for the children. If you care about children, we need housing. We need to address affordability issues that affect young families. Better childcare and better leave policies for parents. Last I checked, we're still not fortifying flour with folic acid, which is an internationally recognised way to help head off medical conditions in newborns. We need to expand our health service. We need concrete steps on addressing domestic violence. We need better mental health and addiction services. All these things can help families and reduce rates of abortion. Yes, they require effort and resources on our part and are harder than just dictating how people behave. However, I would argue that they're more effective. After repeal, I had hoped some anti-Repeal folks would actually help get things done to help families and make non-termination 'choices' more attractive. I must say that I have been disappointed, even in the low expectations that I had. – Yours, etc, KEVIN LYDA, Caherlistrane, Co Galway. Sir, – I was surprised by the judgmental tone of the article by Breda O'Brien. To my mind the provision of abortion is an integral part of creating a woman friendly society and judging the ways women manage the toll of any part of their obstetric or gynaecological history is most definitely not. – Yours, etc, DR MARY SCRIVEN, Athlone, Co Westmeath . Vulgar language Sir, – In your magazine section there is an article by Brianna Parkins ' People who get up early for no good reason are a menace to society, ' (July 19th). Ms Parkins, referring to jet lag, makes the point that to cope with it she went to bed late. She then tells us, 'But I shouldn't have bothered my hole.' Is Ms Parkins, as a journalist, so bereft in her vocabulary that this was the only way to express her frustration? More to the point perhaps is that The Irish Times doesn't seem to have a problem with it. – Yours, etc, NOEL HOWARD, Kilworth, Co Cork. Apologising for the US and Israel Sir, – While Andrias O'Loinsiagh's apology (Letters, July 19th) for the behaviour of his country's ambassador to Israel and his shame regarding the foreign policy of the current US administration is appreciated, it's important to recall that the ongoing brutality in Gaza did not begin with Mike Huckabee, or even Donald Trump, but under President Joe Biden. The vast majority of the killing so far in the current phase of Israel's war on Gaza took place with the full military, financial and diplomatic support of the Biden administration. This is not just about one US party or administration. For decades, both Democrats and Republicans have funded and shielded Israel, regardless of its actions. That bipartisan consensus remains firmly intact and shows no signs of weakening. There was no indication during last year's US presidential campaign that a Harris presidency would mark any meaningful departure from this support either. Some Democrats and liberal commentators, long silent on Israeli abuses, have only found their voices now, mainly in partisan reaction to Trump-era figures like Huckabee and the crude symbolism they represent within domestic US politics. That's not good enough. Selective outrage offers no comfort to the people of Gaza. – Yours, etc, SÉAMUS WHITE, Stoneybatter Dublin 7. Sir, – Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne claims that there is 'very clearly a danger that the Occupied Territories Bill] would be misrepresented around the world as somehow sanctions on Israel', adding that 'it's not sanctions on Israel, rather it's sanctions on illegally occupied territories,' (Irish public's caution on Occupied Territories Bill reflects 'considered' view – Taoiseach, July 19th). A simple question: if the Palestinian territories are illegally occupied, then who is illegally occupying them? A simple answer: Israel. 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How proud I was when I considered all we have achieved in this little country of ours 100 years since we achieved our freedom from English imperialism. Our glorious Croke Park and our 30 very skilled players are a source of great pride to our nation as pictures of our big day were seen all over the world. What a wonderful little nation we are and what a pity we are so slow in praising ourselves. – Yours, etc, MARIAN QUIRKE, Ballyglass, Co Tipperary. Sir, – The manner of Tipperary's dismantling of Cork in the second half of Sunday's hurling final was awesome and probably unprecedented. Despite the shock which registered on the faces of disbelieving Cork fans in the packed stands they accepted defeat with grace and magnanimity in post-match interviews – right down to the crushed rebel supporter who allowed that Tipperary was 'probably' the better team in the second half. Credit to both teams for delivering a memorable final. – Yours, etc, PJ McDERMOTT, Westport, Co Mayo. Lions tour of Australia Sir, – 'Whingeing poms' is the term used by Australians to describe complaining or moaning newcomers to their country. Matt Williams in his column, 'Charmless Lions put on a masterclass in how not to win friends', (July 19th) provided a splendid example of the whingeing Aussie. His piece is a litany of whinges: the Lions 'have not been great ambassadors for the game'; 'winning the hearts and of the Australian rugby public has not appeared on the Lions to-do list'; 'this not an overwhelmingly brilliant XV'; unlike the Wallabies – 'who are out in the community, visiting children's hospitals…' And so on. He then extends his gripes to rugby followers, noting 'the north (!) has conveniently forgotten that only a few weeks ago an understrength Argentina had defeated the Lions'. The purpose of a Lions tour is to play and win rugby matches; it's not an ambassadorial or charm mission. Yours etc. KEN MAWHINNEY, Dublin 16. Not just The Ticket Sir, – The Ticket highlighting Australian Dreams, a collection of Australian films on at the Irish Film Institute includes Jane Campion as an Australian director and Sam Neill as an Australian actor. I am proud to advise they are in fact both Kiwis. And I thought it was only Australians who liked to claim famous New Zealanders as their own. – Yours, etc, CLAIRE SANDERS, Fairview, Dublin 3 . That Coldplay concert footage Sir, – Well done to Coldplay for simultaneously releasing four singles to the market overnight. – Yours, etc, ULTAN Ó BROIN, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Ryanair bag money Sir, – Having witnessed firsthand the distress Ryanair gate agents cause for often imperceptible infractions of baggage size, I am disturbed to find out they are doing this for only €1.50 each time. In future, should I see this happen I will offer the agent €2 to allow a fellow passenger on without paying a fine. – Yours, etc, COLM DOYLE, Arbour Hill, Dublin. Failed by the system Sir, – We write as organisations representing people under 65 with neurodegenerative conditions, brain injuries, disabilities, and complex needs – along with their families, carers and frontline workers. We speak for a growing community failed by this system. Across Ireland, people under 65 are placed in nursing homes – never designed for their needs. Isolated among residents their parents' or grandparents' age, they are denied vital supports like therapy, rehabilitation, neurological care, peer networks, and meaningful activities to preserve their independence and wellbeing. We know of a man with cerebral palsy whose only option was a nursing home – the same type of facility where both his parents live with dementia. Successive governments have promised to end this practice. His situation has not changed. This is not a care pathway. It is a dead end. The Ombudsman's Wasted Lives Update (2024) reports 32 people under 65 admitted to nursing homes every month. More than 1,200 now live in these settings , not because of clinical need, but because there is nowhere else to go. This is a human rights issue. Everyone, including those with disabilities and complex needs, has the right to dignity and equal treatment. We call on the Government to commit to urgently develop and enact a national strategy to end this practice. This must include regular publication of national data on admissions, their diagnoses and unmet needs; development of community-based, age-appropriate supported living options and clear exit pathways for those already in nursing homes. It must also include guaranteed access to multidisciplinary care while people await transition. These are not radical asks. They are the bare minimum in a country ranked among the wealthiest in the world based on GDP per capita. We need action –now. – Yours, etc, JOE CONDON, Early Onset Parkinson's Disease Ireland, EMER BEGLEY, Disability Federation of Ireland, DR KAREN FOLEY, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, MAGDALEN ROGERS, Neurological Alliance of Ireland , AVA BATTLES, Multiple Sclerosis Society, ALAN BREATHNACH, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, SHANE O'BRIEN, Parkinson's Ireland, MAUREEN SWEENEY, Ataxia Foundation Ireland, PHILIP HENDRICK, Centre for Independent Living Galway, CATHERINE COX, Family Carers Ireland, MARIE HICKEY, Dystonia Ireland, THOMAS J LILLIS, Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland, RICHARD STABLES, Headway Ireland, CHRISTINA DONNELLY, Chronic Pain Ireland, VICKY McGRATH, Rare Diseases Ireland, THERESA ANDERSON, Cheshire Ireland, FIONA BOLGER, Spinal Injuries Ireland. Letter heads Sir, – I suppose I have been fairly fortunate in having an acceptable percentage of letters printed in your esteemed publication, keeping to the rule of being short, pithy and hopefully droll. I can tell you that regardless of the success or failure rate, nothing beats ripping open The Irish Times the following day to see – 'Has it been printed?' – and again the second day or even the third until reaching the inevitable conclusion - not this time. – Yours, etc. JOHN RISELEY, Killiney, Co Dublin.


Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Irish Times
Dublin children's hospital ‘misplaces' child's record in ‘serious data-protection breach'
A Dublin children's hospital has had a 'serious data-protection breach' after a patient's healthcare record was 'misplaced', a memo sent to staff said. It comes in the same week as an unannounced inspection by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) following concerns about the accessibility of patient charts in a shared office at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) Tallaght . On Friday, Sarah Hartnett, data-protection officer at CHI , sent a memo to all staff members entitled 'misplaced healthcare records'. 'A healthcare record has recently been reported misplaced at CHI. Despite a thorough search process, the original record has not been recovered,' the memo said. READ MORE 'In accordance with our statutory obligations, this incident has been reported to the Data Protection Commission'. According to Ms Hartnett, this is a 'serious data-protection breach and a reminder of the critical importance of following all healthcare record procedures'. 'Staff must strictly comply with the HSE standards for healthcare records management and CHI data-protection policies'. Separately, the DPC carried out an unannounced inspection at CHI Tallaght last week on foot of a complaint. The inspection took place in a shared office for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) on the first floor of the hospital. It is understood the door to the shared office, containing hundreds of patient charts, was propped open – making it accessible to people walking by. When closed properly, the door is locked with a keypad. Dr Turlough Bolger, a consultant in emergency medicine, sent an email to staff at the hospital on Thursday morning, the day after the inspection. 'The report will be received in the coming weeks but they expressed concern regarding the number of charts in the room yesterday (approx 320 charts) and the amount of loose pages with patient details,' his email states. 'I expect that the recommendations will be wide-ranging and damaging to CHI at Tallaght.' Dr Bolger said he appreciates the 'hard work' made by staff to reduce the number of outstanding discharge charts in recent weeks, which has seen a 'significant reduction' from 900 to 600 charts. 'I have said repeatedly that there needs to be a sustainable approach to this issue. Ultimately, as the accountable officer in CHI at Tallaght, I am responsible for the overall situation regarding medical records.' Dr Bolger said as the accountable officer, he 'cannot rely on blitzes to clear backlogs as routine'. In order to clear the current backlog, Dr Bolger said he had requested that four NCHDs be allocated to discharges daily. He added that there was a need for 'an emphasis on the use of the confidential shredding bin for most of the loose pages'. A spokesman for the DPC confirmed a team carried out an inspection at CHI Tallaght last week. 'Enquiries relating to this inspection are ongoing at present,' the spokesman said. 'We are not in a position to provide any further comment at this time.' In relation to the unannounced inspection, a spokeswoman for CHI said a data breach 'has not been confirmed at this time' and the inspection related to a 'potential data breach'. 'Immediate measures have been taken to reduce any potential risk, including reinforcing physical safeguards and engaging directly with staff,' the spokeswoman said. 'Additional actions will follow, as appropriate, in line with our internal procedures and any recommendations issued by the DPC as part of its broader oversight.' The spokeswoman added that CHI is transitioning to a 'fully digital health records system and, once complete, this will significantly reduce reliance on paper charts'. CHI has faced significant public and political scrutiny in recent months, particularly in relation to the governance and oversight of its paediatric orthopaedic services.


Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Irish Times
Cocaine users are now older, better educated and more likely to be working
People accessing treatment for drug use are older, have a higher level of education and are more likely to be in employment than they were seven years ago, according to a new report published by the Department of Health . On Monday, the department will publish an independent evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy, which sought to treat drug use and addiction with a health-led approach. According to the report, which was conducted by Grant Thornton, there is a changing demographic of drug users in Ireland. The median age of those in treatment increased from 30 in 2017 to 34 years in 2024, the report said, while the proportion of all cases in paid employment increased from 14.3 per cent in 2017 to 21.8 per cent in 2024. READ MORE The proportion of cases who ceased education for the first time before the age of 16 decreased from 34.9 per cent in 2017 to 30.3 per cent in 2024. In 2024, 13,295 cases were treated, the highest annual figure to date, representing a 48 per cent increase since 2017. Cocaine surpassed opioids as the main problem drug reported by people seeking treatment, according to the review. In terms of overall drug prevalence, the proportion of adults who used drugs within the last year has remained stable at 7.3 per cent. The most commonly used drugs in the previous 12 months in order of prevalence were: cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, magic mushrooms and ketamine. Males and young people aged 15-24 years were most likely to use drugs over the past year. Higher rates of drug use were associated with being unemployed, having completed secondary level education only, being single and being Irish. The review of the Government's strategy was largely positive, highlighting how its implementation has improved data collection, expanded harm-reduction initiatives and allowed for Ireland to contribute to international research and co-operation. However, the report also highlights a number of challenges within the sector. There are disparities in access to harm-reduction services, particularly in rural areas and among marginalised groups, the report said. [ Ireland is becoming a country of moderate drinkers and voracious cocaine users Opens in new window ] Additionally, declining pharmacy engagement threatens the sustainability of needle exchange services, it added. The review team made 10 recommendations to overcome these challenges and guide 'the next phase of strategic development'. Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, said Ireland has 'made significant progress' in this area. 'I welcome the strong endorsement in the evaluation of the health-led response to drug use, including the proposed health diversion scheme for people found in possession of drugs for personal use,' she said. Ms Murnane O'Connor said there is a need to 'move forward with new policies and better services to address the ever-changing drugs situation'. As such, she has established a steering group to prepare a new national drugs strategy, with a deadline of the end of this year. [ Six months ago, he started taking cocaine in a more dedicated way. Things spiralled rapidly Opens in new window ]