Fresh claims of nursing home neglect

FRESH revelations about nursing home neglect have emerged, just days after the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that complaints about nursing homes in Donegal, Cork and Limerick were upheld.

The complaints by family members against a number of private nursing homes across Donegal in 2006 and 2007 and follow-up inspection reports were released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Several homes were warned to improve their standards of care and communication policies, following a number of revelations that saw staff members cover up incidents, overlook the incidence of MRSA and fail to properly lock doors

In one case, a patient in St. Eunan’s nursing home in Letterkenny did not have his teeth cleaned by staff for two weeks.

A nurse at Letterkenny General Hospital, where he was admitted after falling ill, noted that the man’s dentures were “dirty and full of food” and that he had been “vomiting prior to admission.”

The patient also had MRSA, although this was not verbally communicated to hospital staff when he was admitted.

A HSE inspection advised the home to develop a policy on oral hygiene and to review cleaning arrangements. Management at St Eunan’s refused to comment.

A patient at another home died from a gangrenous leg infection that had turned black when she was admitted to hospital.

Family members claimed doctors said the leg had been left festering for at least 10 days at Laggan Valley nursing home in Lifford. The family also claim the limb deteriorated because her medication was not administered effectively while in the home.

The HSE said staff had appropriately treated the limb, but noted that staff “were not aware” the woman had MRSA throughout her five-month stay at the home.

Manager of Laggan Valley, Brian Hunter, said the HSE recommendations have been implemented fully.

The revelations follow confirmation this week that the HSE upheld complaints relating to two nursing homes in Donegal.

Management at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Letterkenny, where an elderly patient was found to have a broken shoulder two months after a fall in 2006, were unavailable for comment since details emerged.