Latest news with #KieranO'Donnell
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Nursing home that was subject of 'distressing' RTE documentary breached HIQA restrictions
A nursing home that was the subject of a shocking RTÉ Investigates documentary admitted new patients after it was banned from doing so by the regulator for the sector. The Residence in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, has a capacity of over 100 residents and was found to be non-compliant after an inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in February. The nursing home was banned from admitting new clients in late April until improvements were made, but admitted new ones after the cut-off date and during the same period RTÉ was filming the hidden-camera documentary at the facility. A nursing home that was the subject of a shocking RTÉ Investigates documentary admitted new patients after it was banned from doing so by the regulator for the sector. Pic: Getty Images (file photo) HIQA confirmed yesterday it would carry out a review of The Residence and the 26 other facilities run by the Emeis Ireland Group, the country's largest nursing home operator. Wednesday night's programme exposed what the Minister for Older People called 'extremely distressing' treatment of people who live at The Residence and another Emeis nursing home in Glasnevin, Dublin. The documentary showed elderly people being left unsupervised for long periods, shortages in vital items such as incontinence pads, and requests to use the toilet going unanswered for lengthy periods of time. The Residence in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, has a capacity of over 100 residents and was found to be non-compliant after an inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in February. Pic: Shutterstock (file photo) One elderly man was recorded pleading to go to the bathroom for 25 minutes before he was helped to the toilet, while another resident was left on the toilet for an extended period with a broken call bell after a staff member went on their break. Minister of State for Older People Kieran O'Donnell said he had met with HIQA about the failings shown in the film. 'What we saw from the programme was neglect and abuse of older people, and clearly a key element to that was lack of staffing,' Mr O'Donnell said yesterday. When asked if HIQA had failed residents of the nursing homes, the minister said: 'Certainly from what we saw on that programme last night, one could not stand over. I want to ensure this never happens again.' The nursing home was banned from admitting new clients in late April until improvements were made, but admitted new ones after the cut-off date and during the same period RTÉ was filming the hidden-camera documentary at the facility. Pic: Getty Images (file photo) One carer working in a home run by Emeis Ireland, who flagged issues with HIQA, waited more than four months before an inspection was carried out. HIQA stated it was aware the documentary 'makes very distressing viewing for all nursing home residents, and their families and friends'. 'The nursing homes featured in this programme were subject to a number of additional inspections in an effort to bring them into compliance,' HIQA said. Eoghan Kenny, Labour Cork North-Central TD and Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee member, said he plans to urge his PAC colleagues to invite HIQA in to answer questions. 'The fact HIQA took over four months to investigate issues identified by RTÉ is beyond belief,' he said. 'What we witnessed last night was utterly appalling. HIQA are failing in their statutory remit to investigate and resolve issues when they arise locally. It's vital we have the highest standards of care for older people.' The February HIQA inspection at the Portlaoise home found residents 'sometimes experienced extended waiting times' for help because there weren't enough staff. However, this failing still hadn't been addressed by the time the documentary was being made months later. Footage showed 23 residents left in a day room with just one healthcare assistant taking care of them for hours. Professor Amanda Phelan of DCU's School of Nursing, who featured in the documentary, said the residents were dehumanised for the convenience of staff and treated like they were in 'a holding area'. The Irish Daily Mail has contacted Emeis Ireland for comment.
The Irish Sun
4 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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ireland probes mistreatment at care homes run by French company
Representative AI image DUBLIN: Ireland's health ministry Thursday ordered a probe into French care homes operator Emeis, the country's biggest private nursing home provider, after a television programme alleged residents in two places were mistreated. The investigative programme aired undercover footage of elderly residents allegedly forced into chairs, and being ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet. The programme, shown on Irish state broadcaster RTE on Wednesday, also showed some residents were left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked. The scenes were "extremely distressing" and "wholly unacceptable", health ministry official Kieran O'Donnell told RTE Thursday. The ministry has ordered the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to launch a review of all nursing homes operated by Emeis, he said. Offering its "sincere apologies", the firm said "this is not the standard of care it expects and not what residents and their families deserve", and pledged to review all operations across Ireland. Emeis, which was called Orpea until last year, run 27 private nursing homes in Ireland. The company entered the Irish market in 2020 through the takeover of another portfolio. HIQA, who are tasked with inspecting care homes, said Emeis-run homes including the two featured in Wednesday's programme had triggered recent concerns. Earlier this year, HIQA ordered one of them to cease admitting new residents, citing "significant concerns". Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke told RTE an institution should not be operating "if people are not being cared for appropriately, with dignity, with respect". "HIQA need to really enforce that and to ensure that everyone has a basic level of dignity and care that they deserve in their twilight years," said Burke. Emeis changed its name to turn the page on a scandal in France when its homes came under scrutiny following the 2022 publication of the book "The Gravediggers" by independent journalist Victor Castan. It cited employees and relatives claiming that residents were at times left for hours with soiled underwear or went days without care as managers sought to maximise profit margins. Orpea contested those claims as "untruthful, scandalous and injurious".
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Minister on nursing home controversy: "I want to ensure this never happens again"
Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State for Older People, reacts to last night's RTÉ Investigates documentary which highlighted alleged failures in the care of residents at two nursing homes.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Over €1.3m allocated to Leitrim for grants to allow older and disabled people to live independent at home
Leitrim County Council has received a 37% increase in exchequer funding for 2025, rising from €849,000 in 2024 to €1.16m in 2025. When combined with the contribution from the local authority, Leitrim County Council has a total budget of €1.36m for the grant. Following a review completed last year, the Government has also introduced significant improvements in the grant. This includes an increase in the maximum level of Housing Adaption Grant for Disabled People to €40,000 (an increase of €10,000), an increase in the maximum level of the Housing Aid for Older People Grant to €10,700 (an increase of €2,700); and an increase in the maximum level of the Mobility Aid Grant of €8,000 (an increase of €2,000). The increased level of funding available in 2025 will continue to ensure delivery of these vital grants and empower local authorities like Leitrim County Council to further assist older and disabled individuals in living independently within their own homes. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, Minister with Responsibility for Older Persons, Kieran O'Donnell and Minister with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins announced the funding allocations. Announcing the funding, he said, "Having met many grant recipients across the country, I've witnessed at first-hand the remarkable difference they make in empowering older and disabled individuals to live independently at home for longer. 'These grants also support local economies, creating employment opportunities for local contractors.' Minister with responsibility for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell said his absolute priority is to enable individuals to continue living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. 'Today's funding announcement is a further positive step towards achieving this.' Minister with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins said, 'I want to compliment local authorities for the key role they play in administering the grants, including assessing applications and arranging home inspections where adaptations are proposed. 'Through this work, local authorities are empowering older and disabled people in their daily routines enabling them to maintain their independence within their own homes.' The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 provided the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the review completed in 2024. The key changes included an increase in the grant limits of over 30%, an increase of 25% in the income thresholds for eligibility. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the existing 20%).
