Standards at nursing home criticised

Staff at a HSE-run nursing home in Co Waterford only became aware of the outbreak of an infectious disease at the centre five days after it began, a report by the health services watchdog reveals.

Inspectors from Hiqa have sharply criticised standards at Dunabbey House in Dungarvan, which included the failure to manage an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug last December until five days after the first resident had contracted the infection.

Hiqa said the overall findings of an unannounced inspection of the facility, which operates under the management structure of the Dungarvan Community Hospital, demonstrated poor compliance with legislation governing the care and welfare of residents.