Leas Cross nursing home reopens after standards vow

THE controversial Leas Cross nursing home has reopened after agreeing changed standards and refurbishments with health inspectors.

The home in Swords, north Dublin, has halved its number of residents and recently began taking in clients.

Under new private management and with a new name — Swords Nursing Home — its owner is also contracting beds with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The owner was granted a licence earlier this year.

The facility’s reopening is expected to alleviate pressure on long-term residential facilities in the region, which has seen home closures recently leave families worried about loved ones’ care.

One of the country’s biggest health businesses, Mowlam Healthcare, has taken over the running of the Swords Nursing Home.

It already runs 10 care facilities nationwide, with 635 beds and 650 staff.

However, two of the Limerick-based company’s facilities were last year criticised by inspectors.

Mowlam’s chairman, Pat Shanahan, later said any inspection issues were resolved “within days”.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner at the weekend, the group said changes at Leas Cross had been agreed before its recent reopening.

“This newly refurbished nursing home has a capacity of 60 beds. All refurbishment work has been carried out in consultation with the HSE Dublin North East, who have granted Mowlam Healthcare registration (under the Nursing Home Acts) for this home. The HSE has stated that this new home will provide much-needed nursing home beds in north Dublin.”

The company stressed that it was “committed to providing the highest quality of care to residents” at the home.

Leas Cross shut its doors in 2005 after a public outcry over care for its elderly residents.

An RTÉ investigation had revealed neglect and poor standards at the home.

A follow-up inquiry concluded care of patients at the home was “deficient at many levels” and amounted to “institutional abuse’’.

Health Minister Mary Harney last month gave the go-ahead for a commission of investigation to examine the role of the HSE and former health boards in connection with the ownership, management and staffing of the home. Complaints made by or in respect of former patients will also be probed.

Tadhg Daly of the Irish Nursing Homes Organisation last night welcomed the introduction of patients into the Swords home, saying health chiefs had been finding it difficult coping with resident numbers in the region.