11,000 reports of patients at risk in homes and centres

There were around 30 reported instances every day last year where residents in nursing homes and those in centres for people with disabilities were deemed to be possibly at risk.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) received 10,572 notifications from nursing homes last year, including 6,187 where there were potential risks to the health, safety, or well-being of residents.

It also received 516 concerns about older people’s services during the year. Issues raised included safety, suitable staffing, medication management, suitability of premises, and residents’ rights.

Of the 11,088 notifications from centres for people with disabilities, 4,896 related to possible risk to their health, safety, or wellbeing. Also, 189 concerns were raised about the care and support provided.

Providers are obliged to notify the health services’ watchdog about specific events, such as a change of management or company details, the loss of heat or power, and issues relating to residents’ welfare.

Hiqa found that the number of concerns raised about healthcare services generally increased by 15% last year.

At the end of last year, there were 577 registered centres for older people, providing just over 30,000 beds.

Hiqa completed 411 inspections at 343 centres in 2015. Almost half (49%) were unannounced. Most of the announced inspections related to the registration renewal programme.

Last year, 208 providers were granted a renewal of their registration, but a further 48 who had applied were awaiting a final decision.

Hiqa said that it was not satisfied that the physical environment in some the centres was adequate and had applied conditions. Representations made by providers were under consideration.

Of the 343 registered centres inspected last year, 84% received one inspection, 13% received two, and the remaining 3% received three or more.

Hiqa chairman Brian McEnery said they were disappointed that critical environmental standards had not yet been met in some nursing homes but welcomed the Government’s commitment to invest in public nursing homes to bring them up to the required standards.

Mr McEnery said the authority completed its first cycle of registration for centres for adults and children with disabilities last year. Some 741 inspections were carried out, with 420 centres registered by the end of the year.

A common theme in centres where inspectors found poor care practices was inadequate arrangements for governance and oversight, and a failure by providers to take action.

At the end of 2015, there were 89 providers of 937 designated centres for children and adults with disabilities. Hiqa received nine complaints during the year — eight were resolved during the year, with one carried forward to be resolved this year.