Ahern rejects criticism of nursing home inspections regime

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has rejected criticism of the nursing homes inspection regime in the wake of this week's Prime Time documentary.

The documentary on the abuse of patients at the Leas Cross home in north Co Dublin showed how the owners had advance knowledge of impending inspections.

Fine Gael raised the matter in the Dáil this morning, saying inspections were pointless if nursing homes were given advance notice.

However, Mr Ahern said notification was only provided ahead of the first inspection and not for any later checks.

The Taoiseach also said that the Northern Area Health Board had tried to address problems at Leas Cross on several occasions, but was misled about conditions by the nursing home’s management.

“They believed that they were making progress in getting these rectified,” Mr Ahern said. “They now believe that they were duped. That is their position and that is what they’ve said to me.”