Reports express nursing homes staffing concern

Inspection reports into a number of nursing homes and centres for people with disabilities have raised concerns over inadequate staffing levels.

Inspectors cited staffing issues at the Kilrush Nursing Home, Co Clare; a designated centre for people with disabilities operated by the Irish Society for Autism in Co Meath; a centre for people with disabilities operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, Co Sligo, and also raised issues about nighttime staffing levels at Roselodge Nursing Home, Co Westmeath.

In the latter facility, the Health Information and Quality Authority reviewed 18 incidents of slips and falls over a five-month period. Ten of the incidents occurred between 8pm and 8am, and inspectors said “there was insufficient evidence of action taken to address higher incidence of resident falls at night”, and recommended a staffing review during the night period to ensure the safety needs of residents were met.

At the Kilrush Nursing Home, the person in charge was absent on the day of the inspection, and Hiqa said “there were inadequate arrangements in place for the management of the centre as there was only one registered nurse on duty”. It also raised concerns over medication management, stating that a number of residents had not received their medicines as prescribed, and for some medication administration records reviewed, gaps were noted where the record was left blank.

As for the centre for people with disabilities in Co Meath, “there continued to be no team leader, specifically for that centre, in post” and “staffing levels remained low at the weekend”.

At the centre in Co Sligo, inspectors found “an inadequate level of staffing to meet the assessed needs of residents particularly the social and emotional needs”.

Examples of good practice was noted in all facilities and in some cases Hiqa issued action plans to providers.

• www.hiqa.ie