Majority of complaints against nursing homes upheld by HSE

THE vast majority of 76 complaints made against nursing homes in Cork and Kerry over the past four years have been upheld following investigation by the Health Service Executive.

A total of 64 complaints against standards of care provided in nursing homes in the HSE South region since 2005 were found to be valid, according to figures provided to Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd under the Freedom of Information Act. Investigations into complaints against nursing homes in both counties revealed a litany of poor patient care and sub-standard treatment in many cases.

They also reveal the annual number of complaints against nursing homes has been growing steadily over the past few years.

In 2004, just 14 complaints were made to the HSE against nursing homes in Cork and Kerry. However, this had risen to 26 by 2007, a 100% increase, while 14 complaints were made against nursing homes up to July 10 this year.

In 2005, 12 out of 14 complaints against nursing homes in the region were upheld, with two dismissed. A total of 17 complaints the following year were upheld, two more unsubstantiated and three not investigated.

In 2007, 24 complaints were deemed valid or partially upheld, while one was inconclusive and the outcome of another complaint is unknown.

So far in 2008, 11 out of 14 complaints have been upheld, while the remainder are still under investigation

Overall, complaints have been upheld against 32 individual nursing homes in Cork and Kerry since 2005, with several care centres the subject of three or more separate complaints.

Upton House in Innishannon, Co Cork, had the worst record of any nursing home in the region, with a total of 10 complaints upheld against it over the past four years.

They include a case of a patient whose arm was fractured while in bed, while another high-dependency patient was allowed to rest on a broken bed.

Upton House was also criticised for discharging a patient with an infected leg wound, while another resident was found to be infested with head lice.

Other nursing homes which were the subject of several complaints were the Montenotte Care Centre in Cork city with six cases, and the Kilcara House, Duagh, Co Kerry, and Ashborough Lodge, Milltown, Co Kerry, with four cases each.

In a statement, the HSE confirmed it had investigated a total of 12 complaints about Upton House between 2005 and 2007. It also revealed that it had one complaint about the Innishannon facility so far this year, although it did not relate to patient care issues.

The HSE said Upton House was inspected by its officials a minimum of twice a year, like all private nursing homes, which are also subject to random inspections.

It also stressed that HSE inspectors took appropriate follow-up measures to ensure any recommendations made following complaints were being complied with.

Upton House was last inspected on May 16, according to the HSE. Details of the inspection are due to be published shortly.

The summary findings indicate that the nursing home was compliant with 54 out of 59 regulations governing care, staffing, management and the physical environment.

The HSE said recommendations were made to the owners of Upton House in relation to regulations where standards were not met.

Management at Upton House were unavailable for comment last night.