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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Our elders deserve dignity and the Government has a duty to protect its citizens – shock RTE programme showed failing
NURSING home group Emeis Ireland is under the spotlight following shocking revelations this week on an RTE Prime Time Investigates programme. It exposed multiple failings at Residence Advertisement 3 A new RTE investigation uncovered how residents were being treated in the nursing home Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Natasha Newsome Drennan has urged the government to take action to protect its citizens Credit: Wikipedia The Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is now reviewing all EMEIS homes, but it is a terrible indictment of the industry and not the first time abuse has been uncovered in EMEIS has apologised and said the findings were 'deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable'. It has also launched a review. The HIQA investigation will hopefully unvcover the extent of the abuse but it is clear a lot needs to change. Older people should be treated with dignity and respect in their later years and their Advertisement READ MORE OPINION Here IRELAND'S older people deserve dignity – and the highest-quality care. What we have witnessed in the But sadly, this is not the first time we have seen scandals in the care sector. We have had the Emily Case, Brandan Case, Grace Case, Áras Attracta and many more. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive Breaking For over a decade, professional bodies, experts and advocates have pointed to weak regulation, failures in standards and an absence of safeguarding, all on the watch of This programme points to the need for better regulation of nursing homes and the need for adult safeguarding legislation. The Irish Association of Social Workers has demanded this for years, as has Sinn Fein. We need mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect, and a legal right of entry for social care teams to investigate individual complaints. BROKEN PROMISE Sinn Fein is committed to empowering older people to live independently, building a Advertisement We have advocated for a comprehensive social care policy to support independent living for people and groups with identified additional needs, including targeted funding to tackle loneliness and isolation, particularly among older people and people living alone. People deserve to live in their own But waiting lists for home support are growing and the promised statutory home-care scheme never materialised. Another broken promise by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Advertisement The State should support older people to 'age in place', through home support and adaptation grants. Long-term residential care should be available for those who want or need it, but it should not be the default option. Long-term residential care will, however, always be the appropriate care setting for some. Our ambition must be to provide assessable, afford-able, safe and quality care. REALISTIC PROPOSALS Sinn Fein has set out realistic, deliverable proposals to improve access to care for all our citizens. We proposed to mandate the Commission on Care to future-proof the model of care for aging. We would support family carers, as outlined in our Charter for Carers, and invest in day services for older people. Advertisement We would also support specific programmes for those with dementia, We also point to weaknesses in regulation which have led to a failure in standards in some care settings, and instances of neglect and abuse. This is intolerable — and it is a scandal that this Sinn Fein would urgently enact adult safeguarding legislation. This would provide a legal framework to support safeguarding, additional power for social workers and relevant social care professionals — and an agency, separate from the Advertisement We would legislate to provide a legal right of entry to any designated care centre for relevant social workers and social care professionals. We would also legislate for a care partner scheme similar to that which operates in the north of WAKE-UP CALL This scheme was highly successful at reducing isolation and improving health outcomes during the It gives a right to a family or friends acting as care partners to combat isolation and, during public health emergencies, assist in care-giving in residential facilities. HIQA regulation is not enough. We cannot dismiss abuse or neglect or adopt an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. Our elderly citizens deserve to receive the highest quality of care and to be kept safe from harm. Advertisement We also need to invest in public nursing home capacity. Over 70 per cent of nursing home capacity is now private. But privatisation of nursing home care is wrong. We need to tip the balance back in favour of public capacity, with robust regulations and appropriate safeguarding. It is the duty of any Government to keep all citizens safe and protected from harm. Advertisement The Prime Time program is another wake-up call. We can no longer accept or tolerate sub-standard care or abuse and neglect of our elderly citizens. They deserve so much better. 3 It points to the need for better regulation of nursing homes and the need for adult safeguarding legislation Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘It's not acceptable', says Martin promising probe into Hiqa failures after ‘horrific & shocking' nursing home scandal
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin promised there would be an examination into how HIQA during failed to identify 'very horrific and shocking behaviour towards elderly people in nursing homes'. Shocking undercover footage broadcast by Advertisement 3 A new RTE investigation undercovers how the elderly are treated in nursing homes Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 3 Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed that there are issues in terms of HIQA's approach to the situation Credit: MAXWELL 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. Reacting to the disturbing footage, the Speaking in Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS 'We think of the He also stressed that there are issues in terms of HIQA's approach to the situation - especially as one of the nursing homes at the centre of the RTE He said: 'I think they will be examining that aspect of it in terms of the manners and methodology used to inspect, even though these are unannounced inspections, when they happen. 'I think we have to stand back and take a look at how in one case anyway the inspections did reveal a lack of compliance, in another, not so, and that needs to be examined as to how that came about and are there better ways of getting in under this to make sure that this does not happen again. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN 'There will have to be increased vigilance from the regulatory approach and that is something that government will be looking at'. Amid the fallout from the explosive RTE show, the Health Information and Quality Authority confirmed this week that it had moved to halt admissions to The Residence REVIEW UNDERWAY The inspection body also revealed that a Minister Kieran O'Donnell held talks with HIQA to discuss issues raised in the RTE Investigates Advertisement And he said he now expects HIQA and the Chief Inspector to use all their available powers to improve the situation. Quizzed on the shocking doc footage, He said: "There is a very clear focus. There is a multi-stranded approach to aging in this country. "We are aging. We are one of the more younger populations in Advertisement PRIORITY TO RESIDENTS "So for example we have doubled expenditure on home care to well over €800 million. "We do have private nursing homes and we have public nursing homes and public institutions which tend to deal with more acute patients. "I spoke with the Minister O'Donnell, who was very much on this, and He added: "Our priority at this stage is those living in the nursing homes.' Advertisement 3 Shocking undercover footage showed residents crying for help, left in soiled clothes and being incorrectly handled Credit: RTE Press Office Issue
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
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Cork TD calls for HIQA to appear before PAC following ‘appalling' footage on RTÉ Investigates programme
The footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes which was broadcast on Wednesday, June 4 details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. HIQA has subsequently confirmed that it stopped admissions to the nursing home in Laois prior to the programme being aired. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny expressed concerns that the RTÉ Investigates programme into nursing home care represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people. Deputy Kenny who is a member of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee said HIQA have not appeared before the PAC since 2017. 'Given the huge systemic issues within the organisation detailed by RTÉ, I will be proposing inviting HIQA to the PAC with my committee colleagues. The fact that HIQA took over four months to investigate issues identified by RTÉ is beyond belief. We are talking about care of our much loved older people who deserve dignity as they age." 'What we witnessed was utterly appalling,' said Deputy Kenny. 'Credit is due to RTÉ for highlighting this issue. Staff members from other homes have made contact with my office to express their concerns about practices being replicated in their workplace. 'HIQA are failing in their statutory remit to investigate and resolve issues when they arise locally. Given the scale and the nature of what was exposed, it is crucial that we examine in detail the procedures and potential gaps within HIQA to address these urgently. The PAC could work constructively with HIQA representatives on this,' he added. The Cork TD said accountability is 'crucial' to ensure the most vulnerable are protected 'HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens. Accountability is crucial, but so too is ensuring procedures and processes are in place to protect the vulnerable in our society. It's vital that we have the highest standards of care for older people. HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens.'
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
'Issues' in HIQA approach to nursing home inspections
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Health Information and Quality Authority's regulatory framework will have to be examined in the light of revelations in the RTÉ Investigates documentary on nursing homes, which he described as horrific, shocking and unacceptable. Micheál Martin said that HIQA would have to take on board how in the case of one nursing home, inspections revealed a lack of compliance with regulations, and in the case of another the inspections did not. "That needs to be examined in terms of how that came about and are there better ways of getting in under this, making sure this doesn't happen again," Mr Martin said. "HIQA has been effective and impactful in many areas - that has to be said. But there has to be an examination of this situation in terms of the regulatory framework that didn't catch very horrific and shocking behaviour towards elderly people in nursing homes. That has to be taken on board." Mr Martin said there were "issues" in terms of how HIQA approached the inspection of the two nursing homes involved. "I think they will be examining that aspect of it in terms of the manner and methodology used to inspect, even though they were unannounced inspections when they happened. "What was uncovered by RTÉ Investigates was horrific. It was absolutely unacceptable," he said. Mr Martin was speaking to the media during a visit to Star of the Sea primary school at Passage West in Co Cork. HSA to inspect nursing homes featured in programme Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is to carry out inspections at the two centres which featured in the documentary examining standards of care at Ireland's largest private provider of nursing homes. The inspections will review general health and safety measures at both The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in north Dublin to ensure risk assessments, patient handling and health and safety training are in place. The inspections come on foot of detailed complaints made to HIQA by two undercover RTÉ carers who witnessed repeated examples in both homes of frail older residents being handled inappropriately or lifted without the use of proper handling equipment. The concerns were subsequently passed to the HSA as they do not fall under the remit of HIQA. HIQA has also confirmed that it is carrying out a review of all nursing homes operated by the Emeis Ireland group. It said that following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise in February, it initiated proceedings to stop admissions to the nursing home. The provider was advised of this measure in February, a formal notification was issued in March and the restriction came into effect on 22 April. However, the nursing home was in breach of the sanction after 22 April. It is understood a flurry of admissions took place to the home in late April, including post 22 April and during which time RTÉ Investigates had an undercover healthcare assistant working at the home.
