HSE care homes still operating despite warnings

TWO care homes for children run by the HSE continue to operate despite numerous warnings from independent inspectors that neither is fit for purpose.

The homes, in the south and north-west of the country, were urged to close five years ago and three years ago respectively by the social services inspectorate, now part of the Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA).

The homes are in addition to the HSE’s Special Care Unit (SCU) for troubled children in Ballydowd which the HSE yesterday confirmed will close after a damning report branded it “fundamentally unsuitable”.