Watchdog finds governance and fire safety issues at two Cork nursing homes
In the case of both nursing homes, Hiqa outlined a plan to bring these centres into compliance with its obligations. File picture: David Creedon
Health sector watchdog Hiqa has identified serious concerns at two Aperee Living nursing homes in Cork, with issues around governance and fire safety to the fore.
The two unannounced inspections were carried out at centres in Bantry and Churchtown in May, on the back of previous inspections that also highlighted significant issues.
In the case of Bantry, Hiqa said that on foot of issues highlighted in five previous inspections, the chief inspector had issued a notice of a proposed decision to cancel the centre’s registration “relating to serious concerns about the registered provider's fitness to operate the centre and their failure to complete the fire safety works within the agreed time line”.
However, Aperee Living then outlined the actions it would take to address its non-compliance and asked the inspector to reconsider his decision.
In this most recent inspection, concerns were again raised about governance and management at the Bantry centre, with Hiqa judging the centre to be non-compliant in this area.
It said: “An escape route was put out of use to facilitate construction works to an escape ramp; this had not been risk-assessed nor was there a contingency plan to ensure an adequate alternative means of escape for residents on this bedroom corridor.
“The provider had failed to ensure the fire safety works would be complete by May 31, 2024, in line with the compliance plan for the previous inspection.”
Hiqa also highlighted “repeated delays” in addressing known fire safety risks at the centre, and said arrangements for providing adequate means of escape while measures in place to contain fire were not effective.
Meanwhile, at the Aperee Living Churchtown nursing home, Hiqa highlighted how the centre was subject to “significant regulatory escalation”.
This was also ordered to shut by the chief inspector but the provider appealed this decision in the district court.
While it was compliant in a number of areas during this most recent inspection, such as staffing, infection control and health care, it was not compliant in other areas such as governance and management and fire precautions.
“Significant concerns remained with regards the providers management systems and the overall governance and management of the service to ensure that the service provided was safe,” Hiqa said.
The watchdog also said that the provider had given “repeated assurances” that appropriate action would be taken to complete the required works in the area of fire safety for residents’ protection.
“However, the inspectors found that a significant body of work remained outstanding in the centre,” it said.
In the case of both nursing homes, Hiqa outlined a plan to bring these centres into compliance with its obligations.
The reported in August that a receiver had been appointed to the troubled firm’s Bantry nursing home.
Earlier this month, Hiqa confirmed that the Aperee Living nursing home in the village of Camp outside Tralee would transfer to the management of the HSE.
This was “arising from serious concerns about the governance and management of the centre, and the impact on the care and welfare of residents,” it said.
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