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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Increased vigilance' needed from Hiqa's regulatory approach to nursing homes, Taoiseach says
There are issues that should be examined in the regulatory approach of the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to ensure the welfare of elderly people in nursing homes , Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. He was speaking in reaction to allegations of elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes Beneavin House, in Glasnevin, Dublin, and The Residence, Portlaoise, Co Laois, which were shown in an RTÉ Investigates programme aired Wednesday night. Mr Martin described the content of the programme as 'absolutely unacceptable' and said 'there will have to be increased vigilance from the regulatory approach, and that is something that Government will be looking at'. The documentary shared scenes of older people allegedly being 'manhandled', ignored when asking for help to go to the toilet, and 'being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked'. READ MORE Emeis Ireland, which operates both nursing homes at the centre of the scandal, has apologised 'unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress' caused. [ Staff in nursing home at centre of neglect claims 'did not show a shred of empathy' for woman (92) Opens in new window ] Mr Martin said Government policy on safeguarding elders' welfare 'isn't the issue'. 'It will be an additional help but fundamentally it's behaviour on a day-to-day basis,' he said. 'It is how homes are operated and it's the regulation then of that that ultimately will still have to be the first response, and the key, to situations like this.' Hiqa is 'effective and impactful in many areas', however 'the regulatory framework didn't catch very horrific and shocking behaviour towards people in nursing homes. That has to be taken on board', Mr Martin said. [ Review of all nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland requested by Department of Health Opens in new window ] There is 'a lack of a clear ethos and ethical framework' in the governance and ownership of the nursing homes in question which impacts 'respecting the dignity of every human being', Mr Martin said. He pledged 'additional investment in public facilities into the future', which he said 'tend to deal with more acute patients'. 'We have invested very strongly in the public system, which people may not realise, through the refurbishment of existing community district hospitals across the country over the last four to five years,' he said. A review of the 27 Emeis-owned nursing homes in the State was initiated Thursday morning after Minister of State with Responsibility for Older People Kieran O'Donnell met Hiqa representatives. Safeguarding teams have since been brought in to Beneavin House and The Residence, Portlaoise, by the Health and Safety Authority , The Irish Times understands. A demonstration has been planned for next week by Care Champions Ireland, an advocacy group for families with relatives in care facilities, outside Leinster House to 'demand safeguarding legislation' and 'reform all care provisions'. [ What is Emeis and where are its Irish care homes located? Opens in new window ] In a statement on Friday evening Emeis said the RTÉ footage was 'both shocking and unacceptable and unquestionably equated to poor and abusive practice. 'Emeis Ireland has taken appropriate safeguarding actions in relation to residents and specific actions in relation to staff and a full organisational review is under way. These incidents were not representative of the professionalism and commitment of our employees in Ireland, nor of the everyday life in our facilities.'
The Journal
4 days ago
- Health
- 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
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
RTÉ documentary findings mirrored similar scandal in France
Thomas Hubert, Editor at The Currency, looks back at how Emeis Ireland, the company which owns the two nursing homes at the centre of the recent RTÉ Investigates programme, came to be in Ireland.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Health chiefs launch sweeping review of ALL Irish nursing homes run by shamed group after ‘institutional abuse' expose
HEALTH inspectors have launched a sweeping review of ALL nursing homes operated by the shamed Emeis Ireland group following an 'institutional abuse' expose. Shocking undercover footage broadcast on Wednesday night showed residents crying for help, left in soiled clothes and being incorrectly handled. Advertisement 2 A new RTE investigation undercovered how some residents were being treated in nursing home Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 2 TD Kieran O'Donnell has requested the probe The RTE Investigates programme uncovered a litany of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, north Both are run by Ireland's top private nursing home provider Emeis Ireland, who have apologised for the failings. Amid the fallout from the explosive And the inspection body revealed a review of all nursing Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS HIQA said: 'The practices shown in the programme were wholly unacceptable and shocking. HIQA officials said the major probe followed a request from Minister of State with responsibility for Minister O'Donnell held talks with HIQA to discuss issues raised in the RTE Investigates programme. He says he now expects HIQA and the Chief Inspector to use all their available powers to improve the situation. Advertisement MOST READ IN IRISH NEWS O'Donnell declared: 'What we saw last night was a wake up call for everyone.' Undercover investigators posing as AI robot nurse with creepy 'face' taking over hospital jobs as it patrols halls, delivers meds and tracks patient vitals The Following concerns by whistleblowers, RTE had two undercover researchers, who were fully qualified as Healthcare assistants, apply for and secure jobs at separate Emeis nursing homes. Advertisement But despite it costing €1,200 a week for residents to stay in the 'INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE' In response to the damning footage, Consultant Geriatrician Professor David Robinson said: 'What we are looking at is largely institutional abuse. This is neglect in a setting which is supposed to be caring.' Opposition politicians last night warned the RTE Investigates programme 'represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people'. And Labour TD Eoghan Kenny called for HIQA officials to be hauled before the Advertisement ADMISSIONS RESTRICTION BREACH CONFIRMED ONE of the scandal hit nursing homes it is claimed breached a restriction on halting admissions. HIQA today confirmed that following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise in February this year, it initiated proceedings to stop admissions to the nursing home. The provider, Emeis Ireland, was advised of this measure in February, a formal notification was issued in March and the restriction came into effect on 22 April. However, it emerged last night that the nursing home may have been in breach of the sanction after April 22. It is understood a flurry of admissions took place to the home in late April, including post 22 April and during which time RTE Investigates had an undercover healthcare assistant working at the home. Emeis Ireland was contacted for comment.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Nursing homes controversy: What we know so far
A documentary broadcast on RTÉ this week revealed serious issues at a number of nursing homes. The film examined standards of care at nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea. The French-owned company runs 27 residential homes across the State. Advertisement Undercover researchers found multiple examples of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents in the facilities. Here is everything we know so far about the controversy, including the growing political reaction. The background The RTÉ investigation found concerning issues at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor nursing homes. The 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. Advertisement It also showed some staff not using proper hoisting equipment and shortages in necessary items like incontinence pads. RTÉ had two undercover researchers simultaneously apply for and secure healthcare assistant roles at the Emeis homes. They both had all the required qualifications and were Garda vetted by RTÉ. Emeis Ireland is a French-owned nursing home group. Photo: Collins At The Residence Portlaoise, up to 101 residents can be accommodated at a weekly cost of approximately €1,200 per week under the Fair Deal scheme. The Fair Deal scheme is a State support system that helps cover the cost of nursing home care, based on a person's income and assets. The undercover researchers did witness some staff provide good care but more often saw repeated instances of staff shortages impacting daily resident care. Advertisement This included large groups of residents being congregated together in day rooms, vulnerable older people being left unsupervised resulting in resident falls and day-to-day requests going unattended to for lengthy periods of time such as pleas to be put to bed or use the toilet. The undercover carer also witnessed multiple examples of poor manual handling with older residents frequently lifted under the arms and without the required use of proper handling equipment contrary to best practice. On some occasions staff were hampered by a lack of available equipment, while in one instance management also instructed healthcare assistants not to use hoisting equipment in public areas for fear their poor technique would be seen by visitors. Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin, Dublin. Photo: Collins At Beneavin Manor in Dublin, which can provide care for up to 115 adults for approximately €1,400 per week with Fair Deal funding, another undercover researcher saw similar patterns of staff under pressure. Staff also faced constant challenges when it came to the supply of essential resources with recurring shortages of basic items such as towels, bedsheets, sanitary wipes and gloves. Advertisement The researcher also witnessed the inappropriate handling of vulnerable residents with frail older people sometimes moved by their clothing instead of using the correct handling equipment mandated in their care plans. RTÉ had both researchers hand in their notice and report all their concerns to management at the nursing homes and to the regulatory body, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). The response In response to the documentary, 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'. Advertisement Emeis Ireland said it has commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. Hiqa, which is responsible for inspecting nursing homes, said it is taking 'escalating action' over the 'wholly unacceptable' practices identified in the programme. It said a decision to halt admissions to the Residence Portlaoise came into effect in April. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke expressed his distress at the revelations in the RTÉ investigation. 'It was very distressing to see vulnerable people to be treated the way they were. When you consider elderly people who have given so much for our economy, for our state, to be treated like that in their twilight years was absolutely reprehensible,' he told RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne show. Labour TD Alan Kelly said Hiqa had a 'lot of questions to answer' following the broadcast, adding that the agency needed to be properly supported to 'actually do its job'. Mr Kelly said demographic changes in the country necessitate a completely different strategy for care of older and vulnerable people, including more public nursing homes and plans for increased home help and care in the home. He also said Hiqa and other organisations need the Government to put an adult safeguarding framework in place. The chairwoman of Safeguarding Ireland said she was 'disturbed, distressed, and angry' over the findings of the programme. In reference to a previous RTÉ documentary on the Leas Cross Nursing Home 20 years ago, Patricia Rickard-Clark added: 'We have gone backwards, I think.' Ms Rickard-Clark told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the Government needs to establish an inter-department and inter-agency working group to deal with recommendations from the Law Reform Commission on adult safeguarding. Disability Minister Norma Foley described the programme as 'horrifying' and 'heartbreaking'. 'To see older people struggle to be heard, to be listened to and to be cared for is quite appalling.' Ms Foley said she believed that a lack of guidelines on staff-to-resident ratio in nursing homes should be 'looked at'. What next? A review of all nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland has now been requested by the Department of Health. Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Older People Kieran O'Donnell has asked Hiqa to start the review of all nursing homes operated by the group in the wake of the RTÉ Investigates programme. Ireland Nursing home revelations 'extremely distressing' a... Read More He said the treatment of residents at the nursing homes was 'extremely distressing' and 'wholly unacceptable'. The Minister said he wanted to see inspections happening more frequently and faster responses to protected disclosures. Hiqa's chief inspector 'is taking escalated regulatory action in the nursing homes identified' and 'will take any necessary additional actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents', a spokesperson said. Hiqa ordered admissions to The Residence in Portlaoise to be ceased after the release of a report in February detailed areas of significant concern. – Additional reporting: Vivienne Clarke, Press Association
