Dementia unit in Killarney nursing home poses ‘significant health hazard’, Hiqa finds

Hiqa has highlighted mould, damp and infection-control risks in the Killarney facility as delays continue in opening its replacement

Hiqa's latest report shows the deteriorating conditions in which older people continue to live at Killarney Community Hospital. Pictures: Jerry O'Sullivan, Radio Kerry

A HSE nursing home in Killarney that remains open despite plans to move residents to a new building is in very poor condition, with mould in the dementia unit posing “a significant health hazard”, Hiqa inspectors have warned.

A public-private partnership between the HSE and a joint company of Sisk and Equitix was due to deliver seven new nursing homes last year.

Instead, just two have been handed over to the HSE and none have opened, including the sites in Cork, Tipperary and Kerry, as the Irish Examiner and Radio Kerry revealed last month. Hiqa has now said it has not yet received an application from the HSE to register the Killarney site.

Its latest report shows the deteriorating conditions in which older people continue to live at Killarney Community Hospital.

Inspectors found residents very well cared for, and residents and their relatives said they were satisfied with the care.

However, people reported “the building was in a poor state of repair”, Hiqa said.

Inspectors found particular issues in the dementia-specific Fuschia unit, including “poor decor and flooring and areas of damp and mould that required immediate action”.

Across the nursing home they saw “significant wear and tear of floor surfaces and badly damaged wall areas”, which increase the risk of falls for frail or unsteady residents.

They advised that ongoing maintenance is needed.

“Mould was observed on a number of area including a bedroom wall, in a sluice room and in a cleaners store,” Hiqa said.

The Hiqa team were told all residents will be moved to the new unit, which was built on the grounds of St Finian’s in Killarney.

“There was a strong odour of must and mould. This finding posed a significant health and safety risk to residents in the centre.” 

The Hiqa team were told all residents will be moved to the new unit, which was built on the grounds of St Finian’s in Killarney.

However, it has not been handed over to the HSE, and Hiqa said: “To date, an application has not been received by the Office of the Chief Inspector to register this new centre.”

Hiqa gave examples of how the delays are affecting vulnerable residents. One person living in a four-bedded room said: “I would prefer my own space.”

Others said they are looking forward to “having a new modern premises and more space”. They have limited storage and often share bedside lockers.

However, some did say they like sharing a room.

While Hiqa found no problems with staffing, inspectors highlighted “a lack of oversight of premises and infection control issues which were of high risk to residents.”

In response to Hiqa, the HSE said works have been carried out in the Fuschia unit, including painting. A fire door has also been repaired elsewhere and changes made to how linens are stored.

HSE Southwest told the Irish Examiner previously that handover of the new building is “a complex commercial and legal process and remains under active management by the HSE nationally.”

Minister of state for older people Kieran O’Donnell told an Oireachtas committee he expects residents to move to Killarney by March.

However, others in the group of seven have longer lead-in times, with some HSE regions estimating opening dates next summer.