‘Unacceptable practices’ found at nursing home

INDEPENDENT inspectors have uncovered what they claim are a series of “unacceptable practices” at a nursing home.

In a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority on the Lakes Nursing Home in Killaloe, Co Clare, inspectors state they are not satisfied the health and well-being of some residents was “not being well met”.

The report on the nursing home, which has capacity for 57 residents, states: “Inspectors spoke with staff about the care of a resident with a catheter in place. Staff were not familiar with the care which should be provided and file notes suggested that catheter care had not been well managed by staff in the past.

“Some aspects of the management of the centre was disorganised and this impacted on the service being delivered to the residents. During the inspection, the centre had run out of clean bed sheets… the staff also told inspectors that they had recently run out of hygienic skin wipes for residents and that the stock was not replenished for a week.”

The report found “little had been done to create an interesting environment and provide meaningful stimulation for residents. There were long periods when there was very little social interaction for residents”.

It claims there was inadequate specialist equipment such as hoists and wheel-chairs as well.

The Elder Healthcare Group, which operates the nursing home, along with many others in the region, hit out at the report.

They claim it is “overly critical and unfair” and does not “reflect the level of good care being given to our residents and the improvements we have made throughout these past few months and will continue to make”.

“As with other nursing homes in the west of Ireland, our ability to promote change and increase care and other staff resources is a function of the Fair Deal fees granted to nursing homes in the mid-west area, which are approximately 30% less than those granted on the east coast of Ireland,” the group said.

The centre has put in place an action plan to combat the shortcomings.

The Elder Healthcare Group said 50% of the actions required in the report have been completed with a further 40% to be finished within three months.