Age Action: Loughloe House closure will be traumatic

An independent HIQA inspection on a nursing home in Athlone has revealed that some residents were only taken out of bed every second day.

Loughloe House was inspected earlier this year after an elderly resident accused a member of staff of verbal abuse.

HIQA has also criticised a lack of strong governance, staff shortages and poor hygiene standards.

The HSE announced last week that it plans to close the facility within the next two months.

However, there is local opposition to that plan, and Age Action has said the move will be traumatic for the home's 26 residents, some of whom have been there for more than 10 years.