Latest news with #AngelaFitzgerald
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Martin says ‘no issue' with bigger fines for nursing homes as HIQA in new powers & ‘change catalyst' call after RTE doc
IRELAND'S health watchdog does not have the power to tackle or punish big businesses that have taken over Ireland's nursing home industry, HIQA bosses confessed today. It comes as officials issued a grovelling apology over the failings that saw residents being abused and neglected in two homes that were exposed by an Advertisement 3 Beneavin Manor featured in a bombshell RTE expose Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 3 Footage from the doc revealed neglect of patients Credit: RTÉ Investigates Both of these homes have since been hit with warnings that they could be closed down if improvements are not made with gardai also called in to investigate incidents covered in the exposé. And today Taoiseach He also said that closures have to be used as 'a real consequence' for some nursing homes that are neglecting residents. The Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS The documentary revealed The Oireachtas Health Committee today heard that 198 allegations of abuse of residents had been made in relation to Beneavin Manor while 40 allegations of abuse were made in the Residence in Portlaoise since 2023. The health watchdog HIQA told TDs and Senators that both homes have been issued warnings that they could have their registration cancelled if drastic improvements are not made. The company – Emeis Ireland – owns 23 more nursing homes in Ireland with HIQA launching new inspections in each of these facilities following the RTE exposé. Advertisement Most read in Irish News HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald issued a grovelling apology to the public over the nursing home scandal following criticism that the watchdog had previously signed off on the homes. She said: 'The recent RTÉ Investigates, was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by HIQA as the regulator. LACK OF POWER 'What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels. 'I want to assure you that we have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of residents and will continue to do so.' Advertisement The HIQA boss also revealed to TDs and Senators that the State's watchdog does not have the power to fine or punish big businesses that are now running our nursing home sector. Some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are now owned by private companies – an increase from 30 per cent just 20 years ago. Just 15 large companies are in charge of 10,000 spaces for people in nursing homes in Ireland. While HIQA does have the power to close down a nursing home, the watchdog does not have the power to go after the businesses that own the homes. Advertisement 'SYSTEM NOT WORKING' HIQA told the Oireachtas Health Committee that they would need to be given extra powers from the Government in order to go after businesses with fines. The Dublin TD claimed the 'State walked away' and allowed a 'corporate takeover' of the care of older people in Ireland. She said the 'system is not working' if 198 complaints can be made against a nursing home but there is no accountability until RTE's undercover reporters show up. Advertisement 3 Health Information and Quality Authority Chief Executive Angela Fitzgerald Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Hiqa asks RTÉ for all nursing home documentary footage
RTÉ has said it will not hand over non-broadcast footage to The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) without a statutory obligation or legal order. Hiqa said it has asked the national broadcaster to provide all footage it captured in the making of an RTÉ Investigates documentary into standards of care at two nursing homes. Advertisement The programme highlighted serious issues at two centres – The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin – which have been acknowledged as 'wholly unjustifiable' by Emeis Ireland. Hiqa, which is responsible for inspecting nursing homes, said it had notified gardai about its concerns arising from the programme. The authority's chief executive, Angela Fitzgerald, told the Health Committee on Wednesday: 'We've also asked RTÉ to give us all of the footage because they have, maybe, more information than we currently have. 'We also need to be able to see it, because we need to make sure that every resident, not just the ones that were on the screen, are safe. Advertisement 'And they have agreed to cooperate with us and hopefully they will be able to provide the information we need.' In her written submission to the same committee, Ms Fitzgerald said that RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst confirmed that the broadcaster 'will assist us in whatever way they can'. Asked about the comments, a spokeswoman for RTÉ confirmed it was engaging with Hiqa – which is due to request a meeting with the documentary team. However, she said: 'Any assistance provided by RTÉ will be referenced by our own guidelines, safeguards, protocols and procedures. Advertisement 'RTÉ does not hand non-broadcast footage to third parties without a statutory obligation or legal order.' She added: 'Hiqa have now confirmed they have referred incidents evidenced in the RTÉ programme to An Garda Síochána.'
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Hiqa requires additional powers to regulate corporate nursing home companies
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) would require additional powers to regulate parent companies of nursing homes, the Health Committee has been told. The committee also heard that more than 15 per cent of the country's nursing homes are currently under some form of restrictive condition by Hiqa. Advertisement It comes after RTÉ Investigates examined standards of care at two nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea. The programme highlighted serious issues at two centres, The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin, which have been acknowledged as 'wholly unjustifiable' by Emeis Ireland. Hiqa, which is responsible for inspecting nursing homes, said it had notified gardai about its concerns arising from the programme. It also issued an official warning of cancellation of registration to the providers of the two nursing homes should they fail to implement significant improvements in the centres. Advertisement Hiqa chief executive Angela Fitzgerald told the Health Committee on Wednesday that the behaviour in the programme constituted a breach of 'basic human rights which can never be condoned'. She said the inspection agency was 'really sorry to the families directly impacted and the wider community'. A general view of Beneavin Manor nursing home in Dublin, Ireland (Niall Carson/PA) An interim report on Tuesday evening revealed that there had been 198 allegations of abuse to a resident at Beneavin Manor from January 1st, 2022 to June 5th, 2025, with 40 such allegations at The Residence Portlaoise between December 14th, 2023 and June 6th, 2025. Hiqa said it had also sought immediate assurances on the other 23 homes that Emeis Ireland owns, adding that it is clear it has significant work to do. Advertisement At committee, Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane said what was shown in the programme was 'cost-cutting by a corporate body leading to neglect of residents' and 'substandard' care. Asked if Hiqa had any powers to provide financial penalties against that corporate entity, Ms Fitzgerald said the authority that was not provided for under its legal framework. Ms Fitzgerald said the authority has power to regulate individual providers but said it does not 'currently have any powers' in terms of requiring large corporate entities overseeing several providers to take action. She said it was 'important that we have additional powers' for circumstances where it needs to act with such corporate entities. Advertisement She told the committee that there had been a shift towards large corporate entities in the nursing home space and said: 'We don't currently have powers to direct or require them to do anything – we work on the basis of cooperation.' Ms Fitzgerald added: 'I do want to put on record today that the vast majority of those corporate entities as well as individual providers cooperate and work with us – but regulation is there to provide both action and a deterrent. 'And I think it is important that when there's a changing landscape, that we pause and look at whether we need additional regulatory powers to deal with circumstances such as this.' Responding to a follow-up question from committee chairman and Social Democrat TD Padraig Rice, Deputy Chief Inspector Susan Cliffe said the approach taken by the authority begins with engaging with the provider and escalating through a process that includes advisories, cautions, and additional restrictive conditions on its operations. Advertisement She added that it ends with cancellation of service or forced closure as a 'nuclear option'. Pressed on what additional measure could be taken against companies following cancellation that would prevent them from opening a different nursing home, Ms Cliffe said: 'I think we have the powers at the moment to regulate each individual nursing home, vis a vis the company that runs that nursing home. 'What we're talking about at a higher level is, if you would have the powers to go above that to the company that owns all of these companies, that's what doesn't currently exist.' Ms Cliffe said the minister has discussed that potential with the authority. Hiqa also told the committee that 95 of the country's 548 nursing homes are under 'additional restrictive conditions', 53 of which are HSE operated or funded. The RTÉ Investigates documentary highlighted vulnerable people being left unsupervised, large amounts of residents congregated together being supervised by one member of staff, and requests for the use of toilets being unanswered for lengthy periods of time. It also showed some staff not using proper hoisting equipment and shortages in necessary items like incontinence pads. Mr Rice, the chairman of the committee, said the programme was 'very difficult and disturbing viewing'. Emeis Ireland issued an apology to to all residents and their families for 'the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided'. It said it recognised and deeply regrets the 'breach of trust' and 'any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times'. Emeis Ireland said it has commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes.
BreakingNews.ie
9 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
HIQA chief executive says RTÉ Investigates documentary raised 'deeply concerning issues'
HIQA's chief executive is appearing before the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions on the findings of an RTÉ Investigates report. The programme exposed serious care failures at two nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland, including staff misconduct and abuse allegations. Advertisement HIQA has issued an official warning to the homes and is conducting extra inspections. Speaking at the Committee, HIQA chief executive Angela Fitzgerald said: " At the outset, I want to express my thanks to the Committee for affording HIQA to speak about how we do our work and to address your specific questions for us about the issues aired on the recent RTÉ Investigates programme about a number of nursing homes run by the company Emeis Ireland. "I am accompanied by the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector for Older Persons. "Firstly, I would like to reiterate my deepest concerns about what we witnessed. The conduct of staff and the behaviours witnessed were wholly unacceptable in any circumstance. Advertisement "I understand that the decision to place a loved one in long-term care is an incredibly difficult and emotional one. "A nursing home is a place entrusted by families and the wider public to take care of our older citizens who have made their contribution to society and who have a right to be taken care of with dignity and respect. "The programme raised several deeply concerning issues which we will address here today. She said fundamentally what was witnessed constitutes a breach of basic human rights which can never be condoned. Advertisement "HIQA's Chief Inspector is addressing these fundamental issues directly with the nursing homes and its parent company, Emeis Ireland, and is engaging in additional escalatory actions. "These include conducting a number of unannounced inspections in both Firstcare Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise over the past two weeks, including during the early hours of the morning, late at night and during the day. "The Chief Inspector requested an immediate meeting with senior officials from Emeis Ireland. "The providers of the two nursing homes were issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration should they fail to implement significant improvements in the centres. Advertisement "Emeis Ireland told us what immediate action they have taken, including restricting admissions in Beneavin Manor pending their assurance and ours that the services in these nursing homes are safe, disciplinary action with a number of staff and notifications to the gardaí. She said they have sought immediate assurances on the other 23 homes that Emeis Ireland own ans said the Chief Inspector will be independently assessing these nursing homes through inspections, engagement with families and residents over the coming weeks. "To fully inform our work, the Chief Inspector has requested the documents and footage held by RTÉ. Their Director General has confirmed that RTÉ will assist us in whatever way they can," she said. Ms Fitzgerlad said they notified the gardaí about our concerns on the care deficits observed in the programme. Advertisement "Our priority is the residents and their families and we have reached out directly to the residents in both facilities. It is essential that their voices are heard. "We always do this as part of our process of inspection, but it is particularly important at this time. "We understand and fully respect that they may have questions for us about our regulatory process, as well as sharing their personal experiences and it is vital that we listen and respond. "Since this programme, our inspectors have spoken with a number of families and residents to hear about their experience. It is clear that Emeis Ireland has significant work to do. "HIQA fully accepts that we also have work to do in relation to reviewing our regulatory process. We are fully committed to examining what we can learn from recent revelations, and we have commenced work in this regard," You watch the Oireachtas Health Committee as it happens down below.
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Garda probe launched into alleged 'assault' of nursing home resident following report
Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault at a nursing home run by controversial provider Emeis Ireland on the foot of complaints from an unidentified resident's family, can reveal. Watchdog Hiqa has also referred concerns over the standard of care being provided in Emeis nursing homes to An Garda Síochána, which could result in further investigations into the company. It comes after revelations in an RTÉ Investigates programme about two nursing homes – Beneavin Manor in Dublin and The Residence Portlaoise – both run by the for-profit company. Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin, Co Dublin. PIC Sam Boal/Collins Photos A Garda spokeswoman confirmed to yesterday that the force is investigating an alleged assault at one of Emeis Ireland's homes following 'complaints received from a family relative of an older person'. It is understood that the resident in question is located in one of the two facilities featured in the RTÉ documentary. also understands that gardaí examined whether potential law breaches had occurred before launching a full investigation. 'An Garda Síochána has already started an investigation into alleged assault following complaints received from a family relative of an older person,' a spokeswoman said. Pic: RTÉ Hiqa will today tell members of the Oireachtas Health Committee that staff working in facilities operated by Emeis, which were the subject of the damning RTÉ documentary, knowingly ignored proper standards of care. 'It was clear that staff knew what they should do but were not doing it,' Hiqa chief Angela Fitzgerald will tell the committee today. Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea, operates over 25 nursing homes across Ireland. The documentary shows staff at the nursing homes aggressively manhandling residents, leaving them dressed in inappropriate incontinence wear, leaving them unchanged for hours at a time, and being discovered in wet clothing after they had wet themselves. anaiste Simon Harris speaking to the media. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Revelations have elicited emotive responses from families and criticism from politicians. They have also raised questions over the effectiveness of Hiqa in regulating the nursing home sector. Senior Government figures, including Tánaiste Simon Harris, have previously called for the treatment of older people in the care of two Emeis facilities to be investigated by gardaí. Asked about concerns flagged by Hiqa, the Garda spokeswoman added: 'When a referral is made to An Garda Síochána on such a matter, it is first examined to establish if there is a potential breach(es) of the law that can be investigated.' HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Hiqa chief Ms Fitzgerald will say today that the way staff treated residents in the two Emeis facilities 'constitutes a breach of basic human rights which can never be condoned'. 'The conduct of staff and the behaviours witnessed were wholly unacceptable in any circumstance,' she will say. I understand that the decision to place a loved one in long-term care is an incredibly difficult and emotional one. 'A nursing home is a place entrusted by families and the wider public to take care of our older citizens who have made their contribution to society and who have a right to be taken care of with dignity and respect.' The Residence, Portlaoise. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/© She will tell TDs that Hiqa has conducted unannounced inspections in Beneavin Manor and The Residence, Portlaoise, over the past two weeks. Emeis has been issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration should it fail to implement significant improvements, while the other 23 homes operated by the firm will also be assessed. Hiqa has also notified the gardaí about 'our concerns on the care deficits observed' in the RTÉ programme. understands that the watchdog has yet to receive any confirmation that their concerns are being investigated. Ms Fitzgerald will tell TDs that 'immature management systems' and 'a poor culture that resulted in entirely unacceptable practices' drove the 'wholly unacceptable' level of care delivered in the two nursing homes. 'It was clear staff knew what they should do but were not doing it,' Ms Fitzgerald will say, noting that 'cultural factors may not be readily visible on inspection or by families'. Hiqa has committed to reviewing its mechanisms and processes for identifying potential poor culture, the watchdog's boss will add. 'The recent RTÉ Investigates was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by Hiqa as the regulator,' Ms Fitzgerald will say. 'What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels.' Minister for Older People Kieran O'Donnell will also appear before the Health Committee today. The Fine Gael TD has already been furnished with an interim report into Hiqa's investigation into all nursing homes operated by Emeis, which will likely be the subject of scrutiny at the committee hearing. Reacting to RTÉ's exposé, Mr O'Donnell described care provided to Emeis residents as 'extremely distressing' and 'wholly unacceptable'. The Garda investigation comes after Tánaiste Simon Harris last week urged a referral be made to gardaí, 'because what I saw with my own two eyes, the haunting scenes of people being, in my view, physically assaulted in their home…' Emeis Ireland did not respond to a request for comment, but previously apologised to all residents and their families.
