Admissions to Portlaoise nursing home halted due to ‘significant concerns'
Admissions to one of two
nursing homes
facing allegations of abuse and neglect were halted earlier this year by the
Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa)
due to 'significant concerns'.
The Residence, Portlaoise, featured alongside Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, north Dublin, in an
RTÉ
Investigates programme showing
instances of alleged abuse and neglect of frail, elderly residents.
The programme includes older people allegedly being manhandled, 'forced' down into chairs, being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked, and being ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet.
The centres are operated by Emeis, previously known as Orpea, the largest provider of private nursing home beds in the State.
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Following the RTÉ broadcast on Wednesday night, Hiqa has said it identified several 'significant concerns' through previous inspections of the services and, as part of escalatory action, it stopped admissions to the Residence, Portlaoise.
The health and safety watchdog halted admissions after an inspection in February, a spokeswoman said. This condition came into effect in April following a notice period.
Such 'restrictive conditions' are implemented when there is persistent noncompliance with the regulations or where there is risk to residents' safety, it said.
Overall, the centre was found to be non-compliant with 10 regulations following the February inspection.
It found staff were not appropriately trained to deliver effective and safe care and were not appropriately supervised, which was noted as being a repeated noncompliance.
While most centres can expect one or two inspections each year, Hiqa said it carries out more inspections at centres where there are concerns or where there is repeated noncompliance.
The Residence, Portlaoise, had three inspections last year and one in February.
Beneavin Manor was also among the 36 nursing homes to receive three or more inspections in response to persistent noncompliance.
Other enforcement steps available to Hiqa include cancelling the registration of a centre. However, it noted such action can cause 'significant upset and distress' to residents and their families.
Following 840 inspections in total last year, the authority either refused to renew registration or cancelled the registration of 10 nursing homes.
Hiqa said it was conscious the RTÉ Investigates programme is 'very distressing viewing' for nursing home residents, their families and friends.
It said further inspection reports on both of the centres are being finalised and will be published in the coming weeks.
'However, 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,' it said.
Hiqa said it will be taking necessary actions with Emeis to ensure safe and effective care for all residents.
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