Staff at hospital in Waterford failed to fully investigate 'unexplained bruising'

Unannounced inspection at HSE-run community facility found safeguarding policies and procedures were not being followed

Hiqa found 'no action was taken to rule out a safeguarding concern' at Dungarvan Community Hospital. Picture: Dan Linehan

A community hospital in Co Waterford failed to take all necessary steps to protect residents from abuse, despite evidence of “unexplained bruising”, according to Hiqa.

An unannounced inspection at the HSE-run Dungarvan Community Hospital in Co Waterford last December found the centre's safeguarding policies and procedures were not being followed.

The inspector noted that incidents of "unexplained bruising sustained by residents" were followed up in detail from a medical and nursing perspective.

However, they found that "no action was taken to rule out a safeguarding concern".

In response to the finding, the HSE said there has since been a “comprehensive review” of safeguarding policy.

Elsewhere, in the 50 inspection reports released by the health watchdog on Thursday, Hiqa said an investigation has now been launched into how the pension funds of 13 nursing home residents are being managed.

Following an inspection by the health watchdog last December, issues were discovered that relate to money belonging to residents of Athlunkard Nursing Home in Co Clare.

Hiqa noted that “while records of residents' finances were maintained, these records did not clearly outline how the residents' funds were being managed”.

This is referenced in Hiqa’s report on an unannounced inspection on December 7 at the home, in Westbury.

Hiqa noted that it has been informed that “a review of the management of residents' financial records is currently being undertaken by the registered provider and finance team to ensure full compliance with the regulations and to reflect best practice”.

Infection control

Other issues raised in the report include concerns around infection control and the fact that — at the time of the inspection — the premises were “not cleaned to the appropriate standard”.

An unannounced inspection carried out on January 17 at the Willow Brooke Care Centre, College Rd, Castleisland, Co Kerry, discovered Hiqa had not been told about the death of a resident three months previously.

In addition, issues around injuries and safeguarding had also not been reported to Hiqa.

The inspector noted: “Inspectors found risk management systems within the centre were not sufficiently robust, with regards to the investigation and learning from serious incidents.

“A record of incidents occurring in the centre was maintained electronically. However, not all incidents had been reported in writing to the chief inspector, as required under the regulations, within the required time period.”

The home said it has since carried out and completed a review of all incidents and put measures in place to make sure incidents are in future reported to Hiqa in time.

Hiqa has also been told staff in West Cork’s Castletownbere Community Hospital face disciplinary action if they do not complete their training.

An inspector who reviewed training records noted there was no evidence that all staff had received mandatory training, with more than half of staff yet to undertake responsive behaviour training, while just under half were yet to undergo safeguarding training.

In reply, the hospital told Hiqa that its management team will make sure mandatory training is up to date for all staff.

It added: “Staff rostered for but [who] do not complete the mandatory training on time will be subject to a disciplinary procedure.”