Elderly left waiting despite Government promises

A YEAR after the Leas Cross nursing home scandal, the Government has failed to establish an independent health inspectorate despite promises to due so by the end of 2005.

Speaking in the Dáil last May, in the wake of a TV programme exposing elder abuse in Leas Cross, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the Government was “determined that a new and stronger regulatory system be put in place so vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, are protected”.

At the time, he also promised: “The relevant Bill to establish the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) on a statutory basis to deal with both private and public nursing homes will be published later this year.”