Eleven nursing homes closed in the last two years following inspections by the State’s health watchdog, it has emerged.

JUST one private nursing home has been closed down by the Health Information and Quality Authority since inspections started a year ago, the head of its social services inspectorate said yesterday.

A CO Wicklow nursing home where vulnerable residents sustained serious injury when left unsupervised has been shut down on foot of a court order.

The HSE has taken over the running of a private nursing home in Co. Wicklow amid concerns for the health and safety of its residents.