Minister on nursing home controversy: "I want to ensure this never happens again"
Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State for Older People, reacts to last night's RTÉ Investigates documentary which highlighted alleged failures in the care of residents at two nursing homes.
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Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
'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
The Journal
5 days ago
- The Journal
Taoiseach calls for HIQA's regulations to be examined following RTÉ nursing home investigation
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has called for a review of HIQA's regulatory framework after an RTÉ Investigates programme highlighted poor treatment and practice within two privately-owned care homes. Both care facilities – The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin – are under the ownership of Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea. Emeis operates 27 nursing homes across the country after entering the Irish market in 2022. It was revealed this week that the nursing homes regulator HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) had stopped new admissions to The Residence in Portlaoise in April. HIQA said it was 'very concerned' over the 'distressing' scenes in the RTÉ programme. Speaking to reporters today, Martin described the scenes in the RTÉ Investigates programme as 'horrific, shocking and absolutely unacceptable'. He said there was a lack of a 'clear ethos and framework' and that there are 'issues for HIQA's approach to this'. 'I think HIQA will be examining that aspect of it,' said Martin, 'in terms of the methodology used to inspect. Advertisement 'Are there better ways of getting under this to make sure that this does not happen again.' He then called for 'increased vigilance from the regulatory approach' and added that this is 'something that the government will be looking at'. Martin said he has spoken with both Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State for Older People, and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on the issue. He further remarked that the issue is 'fundamentally about regulation' but added that HIQA is 'well resourced'. And while Martin said HIQA has been 'effective and impactful in many areas', he added that 'there has to be an examination' because the 'regulatory framework didn't catch very horrific and shocking behaviour towards elderly people in nursing homes'. Martin also said that there will now be a 'full look' at all the homes under Emeis's ownership. Meanwhile, Martin remarked that Ireland is 'one of the more young populations in Europe, but we're aging fast'. However, he said there is a 'multi-stranded approach to aging' by the government and that a new national safeguarding policy is being developed. But while he remarked that this new policy 'would be an additional help', he added: 'But fundamentally, it's behaviour on a day-to-day basis and how homes are operated, and it's the regulation of that that ultimately will still have to be the first response and key response to situations like this.' He also said there will continue to be a mix of public and private care homes due to the need to be 'absolutely realistic and pragmatic about the population growth and the aging of the population'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cork TD calls for HIQA to appear before PAC following ‘appalling' footage on RTÉ Investigates programme
The footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes which was broadcast on Wednesday, June 4 details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. HIQA has subsequently confirmed that it stopped admissions to the nursing home in Laois prior to the programme being aired. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny expressed concerns that the RTÉ Investigates programme into nursing home care represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people. Deputy Kenny who is a member of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee said HIQA have not appeared before the PAC since 2017. 'Given the huge systemic issues within the organisation detailed by RTÉ, I will be proposing inviting HIQA to the PAC with my committee colleagues. The fact that HIQA took over four months to investigate issues identified by RTÉ is beyond belief. We are talking about care of our much loved older people who deserve dignity as they age." 'What we witnessed was utterly appalling,' said Deputy Kenny. 'Credit is due to RTÉ for highlighting this issue. Staff members from other homes have made contact with my office to express their concerns about practices being replicated in their workplace. 'HIQA are failing in their statutory remit to investigate and resolve issues when they arise locally. Given the scale and the nature of what was exposed, it is crucial that we examine in detail the procedures and potential gaps within HIQA to address these urgently. The PAC could work constructively with HIQA representatives on this,' he added. The Cork TD said accountability is 'crucial' to ensure the most vulnerable are protected 'HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens. Accountability is crucial, but so too is ensuring procedures and processes are in place to protect the vulnerable in our society. It's vital that we have the highest standards of care for older people. HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens.'
