Grave safety concerns at nursing home still apparent, says Hiqa

A private nursing home shut down over “grave” safety concerns is still putting elderly people at risk — despite now being run under court order by the HSE.

A Health Information Quality Authority update report on Owen Riff nursing home in Oughterard, Galway, made the claim after finding the serious problems have yet to be addressed.

On April 27, the health watchdog took steps to cancel the private facility’s registration due to a lengthy list of health and safety issues, with the HSE taking over its control from that date.

The Galway District Court move was made after “grave concerns” were uncovered by Hiqa inspections. These included the fact the majority of the 40 elderly residents had not been given a bath or shower in a month; some were given breakfast at dinner time; there were signs of medication errors; and residents’ clothes were “unkempt and filthy”.

In addition, the initial Hiqa reports said there were serious deficiencies in the facility’s fire safety emergency evacuation plans and staff vetting procedures.

The Hiqa-backed court decision to ask the HSE to take over the nursing home was expected to ensure these issues would be addressed.

However, in its latest update report, which can be read in full online at www.irishexaminer.com, the health watchdog said many of the facility’s problems are still apparent.

The 30-page inspection report, based on unannounced checks and interviews with staff and elderly people over two days in late September, said “overall, residents’ healthcare needs were well met”.

However, it stressed there continues to be “concerns that the health and safety of all residents has not been safeguarded”.

Specifically, the Hiqa report said there are “inadequate” systems in place to prevent abuse; some allegations have not been addressed; and others which were due to undergo “immediate action” have yet to be investigated.

The report continued that some residents’ finances are not been closely overseen, leaving open the risk of money going missing; and that some staff are “not adequately supervised”.

The inspection report also found that widely used plans to get immobile residents’ out of bed and to safety in an emergency evacuation were not used; and fire escape doors which must be kept clear were “blocked with flammable items”.

The report added that there continues to be a “poor” vetting process for staff and agency workers, which is potentially putting residents at risk.

Among the other nursing homes detailed in the latest raft of released Hiqa reports is the Cramer’s Court facility in Belgooly, Co Cork.

The health watchdog said staff at this facility did not undergo adequate training to prevent potential abuse of residents; and end-of-life care policies taking account of whether the person would like to pass away in a single room, among others, continue to cause some concern.

* All published Hiqa nursing home reports can be read online at http://exa.mn/d4 http://www.hiqa.ie/social-care/find-a-centre/inspection-reports