A nursing home, where more than half of residents who died there last year passed without a relative or next of kin present, has been found to be non-compliant in all eight categories reviewed by health watchdog Hiqa.

Two ageing HSE-run nursing homes whose facilities have been strongly criticised by the health watchdog are in line for a €9m boost.

The State’s health watchdog has warned it is considering taking regulatory action against a Cork nursing home which failed to address concerns raised about the safety and suitability of its premises.

The Health Service Executive has moved to allay fears of widespread closure of nursing homes that do not meet the standards set out by the health watchdog.

THERE have been 29 outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug reported to the country’s public health watchdog since October.