HIQA stops admissions to Laois nursing home featured in RTÉ programme amid concerns
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has stopped admissions to one of two nursing homes featured in last night's RTÉ Investigates documentary, and said that "through its inspections" of both it had "identified a number of significant concerns".
HIQA was responding to the programme which uncovered multiple examples of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin in north Dublin, two nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland.
A spokesperson for HIQA confirmed that admissions to The Residence Portlaoise had been stopped "as part of its escalatory action".
It said "further inspection reports on both of these centres are currently being finalised and will be published shortly".
However HIQA confirmed that it is now taking further action on foot of the RTÉ Investigates documentary.
"We are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes," the statement said, "accordingly, we will be taking the necessary actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents".
In 2024, HIQA inspectors conducted 840 inspections of nursing homes, and it said that 84% of those were "unannounced".
According to HIQA "most nursing homes can expect one or two inspections a year, but we carry out more inspections in those centres where there are concerns about the care and welfare of residents or where there is repeated non-compliance with the regulations".
In 2024, HIQA said 36 nursing homes received three or more inspections in response to persistent non-compliance.
"The nursing homes featured in this programme were subject to a number of additional inspections in an effort to bring them into compliance," the HIQA statement said.
HIQA said that while the vast majority of nursing homes provide good quality care, it said "a small number... struggle to maintain compliance with the regulations".
It said that "where there is persistent non-compliance with the regulations or where there is risk to residents' safety" HIQA's Chief Inspector can take a number of enforcement steps.
These may include stopping new admissions "until improvements are made" or "in some cases cancelling the registration of a designated centre".
HIQA said it was "conscious" that nursing homes are people's homes and that this latter course of action "can cause significant upset and distress to residents and their families".
In 2024 HIQA refused to renew registration or cancelled the registration of ten nursing homes.
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