Nursing home staff allegedly refused to be tested for Covid, health watchdog hears

Approximately 1,650 concerns and complaints were received by Hiqa during the first 14 months of the pandemic, one in five of which related to allegations of poor infection control and breaches of restrictions. Picture: iStock

Some healthcare staff continued to work in nursing homes after testing positive for Covid-19, while others failed to isolate upon returning from overseas, according to complaints received by the state health watchdog.

It was also reported to the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) that hairdressers were continuing to call to nursing homes in breach of restrictions at the height of the pandemic, while visitors were permitted in some facilities contrary to public health guidance.