Consultant shocked at abuse and neglect of patients

Evelyn Ring

Dr Cillian Twomey, who is president of the Irish Gerontology Society, said the Prime Time exposé of abuse at Leas Cross nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin, re-emphasised the urgency of having a properly structured, resourced and staffed inspectorate.

Dr Twomey, who was speaking during the society’s conference on long-term care for the elderly at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin yesterday, said it was clear the number of inspections was inadequately resourced because their frequency was less than what was envisaged in the Nursing Home Act.