Safety concerns may force closure of nursing home

A NURSING home may be forced to close after an emergency district court hearing was informed of serious concerns over the safety of residents.

Both the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) and the HSE have confirmed that Upton House Nursing Home in Clara, Co Offaly, is the subject of an interim de-registration court order.

As the case is still before the courts, with the owners of the private facility able to appeal at any point over the next 28 days, neither state organisation is able to comment.

However, during a rare evening district court hearing at 7pm on Thursday evening – only the second such case brought forward in 15 months of nursing home inspections – evidence was provided of significant concerns over the safety of residents.

The district court in Portlaoise heard that the facility should be de-registered because there is a risk to life, or a serious risk to the health or welfare, of 13 residents who have been living there.

In total, 107 breaches of regulations have been identified, including two serious allegations relating to the care of a 95-year-old woman who fractured bones in her legs after falling out of bed twice in a single hour.

A further situation outlined during the evening court hearing involved a 58-year-old man who was found incoherent and requiring critical medical care.

The court was also told the heating was not working at the nursing home on some inspection visits and an elderly resident was left unattended and topless on top of a commode.

Care plans for certain residents had not been updated as required. HIQA also believed there was “a lack of competence amongst staff nurses”.

Despite HIQA repeatedly raising concerns, no action plan was submitted by the centre provider nor did HIQA receive an adequate response.

Under section 68 of the Health Act 2007, the HSE is now making alternative arrangements for the care of those who were living at the facility, which has been operating as a nursing home for 35 years.

The facility has been inspected on four occasions by HIQA since the inspection regime began in July 2009.

Due to the court case, Upton House Nursing Home’s registration as a designated care centre is currently cancelled under the orders of Judge Gerard Haughton. The operators of the facility have 28 days to appeal the decision.

HSE local health manager Liam O’Callaghan said ongoing support will be given to those involved as consultations continue with residents and their families.

“The well-being of the residents is paramount in cases such as this and the HSE will make every effort to ensure the impact on the residents of this private nursing home is minimised.

“In accordance with Section 64 of the Health Act 2007 the HSE was directed to take charge of Upton House Nursing Home from such time and to make alternative arrangements for the residents of Upton House Nursing Home as soon as practicable,” he said.