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The Journal
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
26 nursing homes fail to meet regulations for safe care in unannounced HIQA inspections
THE HEALTH INFORMATION and Quality Authority (HIQA) has found that 25 nursing homes around the country were non-compliant to some degree with the rules for the care of older people in a round of 47 unannounced inspections at locations across the country. Six nursing homes were found to be non-compliant on four sets of standards or more, in areas including residents' rights, protection, managing challenging behaviour, individual assessments and care plans, staff training, the management of residents' finances and more. All 25 of the homes found to be non-compliant with standards will now have to demonstrate improvements to the authority to come into line with regulations. In the Kenmare Community Nursing Unit in Co. Kerry, which accommodates up to 35 people, who are mainly elderly, through long-term, respite, and end-of-life services, inspectors found that the system for overseeing incidents in the home was not robust. An inspector found that notification of older people's pressure ulcers were not being reported to the management team nor submitted to the Chief Inspector. Written responses to residents' complaints were not provided and records were not kept to show that complaints had been appropriately responded to. In the Knockeen Nursing Home in Co. Wexford, which cares for a maximum of 49 older people, an inspector found that the residents appeared well cared for. HIQA found, however, that the home remained non-compliant in areas of governance and management that it was already found to be failing in in an inspection conducted in 2024. Arrangements made previously to ensure that residents' dietary needs were being met were found to be 'ineffective'. Residents who required modified textured meals were not offered a choice of main courses each day. The inspector also found that there was a delay in obtaining prescribed pain medication for one patient who was dying, and that there was an incident wherein a correctly fitting colostomy bag was not available for a resident. 'The inspector also reviewed a complaint in respect of insufficient stocks of medicinal products being available to meet a residents' needs,' the report on the home said. An issue was also found with the contracts of care being offered to residents. Advertisement In three contracts reviewed by inspectors a section that listed services not offered to residents under the Fair Deal Scheme included physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The inspector found that residents being charged for these services did not reflect their entitlement to them under the General Medical Services Scheme, and that there was a lack of transparency on their entitlements. For one contract, part of the person's contract referred to additional services they might need to avail of, however, no additional services or associated fees were recorded for this person, yet they were still being charged for them. One resident who suffered a fall, who had been identified as weak due to illness and at risk of falling, had not had their falls care plan updated in the 6.5 months previous to the incident. The home was also found to not be conducting neurological observation assessments for all residents who suffered falls. The inspector was not assured that a resident in the Knockeen home who was identified as being at risk of malnutrition had been referred to a dietician. The Beechfield Manor Nursing Home in Shankill, Co. Dublin, provides accommodation to 69 residents. It was found to be non-compliant with multiple regulations. Inspectors found that there were not enough staff available to take residents to the bathrooms when they needed to go on every occasion, and that people were sometimes asked to wait to go to the bathroom. One staff member who was scheduled to carry out activities with the residents read a newspaper while the residents sat in silence, and only turned on the TV for them after one older person asked them to. Kilbarry Care Centre in Waterford accommodates a maximum of 90 residents. It's a mixed gender residence for people 18 and over, including older people with dementia and those in palliative care. The inspector found that a safeguarding issue was not reported to the inspector's office by the home, they also found 'visibly unclean' equipment in the home, and that the dining room floor of the home was unclean with various stains. They also found that the provider had admitted residents with complex care needs, including those in need of pyschological care, but many staff had not completed training on managing challenging behaviour. All of the homes with identified non-compliances will have to submit an action plan to HIQA, and if the issues raised are not addressed, enforcement actions are open to the authority. In all of these homes positive aspects of the care received by patients were also identified. 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
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Findings of probe into care at 2 nursing homes run by Ireland's top provider branded ‘institutional abuse' after RTE doc
THE findings of a new RTE investigation into two nursing homes run by Ireland's largest provider has been branded 'institutional abuse'. Shocking undercover footage shows residents crying out for help, left in soiled clothes, and being incorrectly handled. 2 A new RTE investigation undercovers how the elderly are treated in nursing homes Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 2 The findings of two homes have been branded "institutional abuse" Credit: Getty Images - Getty The two nursing homes in question are The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin in Both are run by Emeis Ireland, previously known as Orpea, who have apologised for the failings. Undercover investigators posing as On another occasion, the same man was left lying on a bare mattress before carers improvised and created sheets from incontinence pads. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The 115-strong care facility costs roughly €1,400 per week for a resident under the Fair Deal Scheme. The scheme is an income dependent, state provided system that helps cover the cost of nursing The investigation found out that the home regularly ran out of basic equipment such as wipes, towels, and gloves. And despite the promise of three-day training, Most read in Irish News In the On one occasion, a man in a wheelchair whose care plan dictated that he needed two people to help him with personal care was forced to wait 25 minutes before he was brought to the bathroom. AI robot nurse with creepy 'face' taking over hospital jobs as it patrols halls, delivers meds and tracks patient vitals In another shocking incident, an When she became agitated, the sensory mat in her bed, placed there because she was considered a fall risk, was left to ring for minutes before she was attended to. Consultant Geriatrician Professor David Robinson said the findings amounted to abuse of the elderly. 'It's abuse - there's no other word for it' He said: 'This is going to shorten people's lives and the lives that they have will be more miserable because of the situation that they're in. 'It's abuse - there's no other word for it. 'What we're looking at is largely institutional abuse and this is neglect in a setting which is supposed to be caring.' RTE Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes broadcasts tonight on RTE One and In response, Emeis Ireland said the evidence of poor care delivery, improper moving and handling of residents, and a lack of dignity and breaches of residents' rights are deeply distressing, adding that it does not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect or practices. Offering its sincere apologies, the company said this is not the standard of care it expects and not what residents and their REVIEW BEING CONDUCTED Emeis added it is fully committed to doing everything in its power to ensure the failings do not recur. This will include, according to the statement, a thorough examination of the management and oversight of medical supplies, housekeeping products and continence supplies across all its nursing homes. It is also to review staffing allocations at both The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. EMEIS IRELAND STATEMENT IN FULL 'Emeis Ireland apologises unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided. "We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times. "These lapses fall short of the values and standards we set for ourselves as an organisation. 'Emeis acknowledges the serious issues raised in relation to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. "The findings are deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable. We express our deep concern, as the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of residents in our care will always remain our foremost priority. 'We have commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. We will not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect, nor any practices that compromise resident safety, rights, or dignity. 'We have issued clear guidance to all employees, where required reinforced through targeted training and enhanced supervision through best practice in individualised resident handling, continence management, and safeguarding. "Additionally, we are reviewing the oversight and management of medical supplies and clinical practices across all Emeis nursing homes. 'Assistance programmes for residents, families, and staff are being established in response to the serious issues identified. We are committed to strengthening our culture of openness and accountability across all of our nursing homes. 'Staff, residents, families, and members of the public have access to a confidential whistleblower portal through which concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal. "All concerns are promptly investigated, reported to the appropriate regulatory authorities, and followed up with individualised safeguarding plans and strengthened oversight to mitigate the risk of recurrence. 'Emeis Ireland is determined to take all necessary actions to restore trust, ensure accountability, and drive meaningful, lasting improvements in the quality of care we provide.'
