Midleton Community Hospital residents lack privacy while wait for new nursing home continues

Despite staff being 'committed to supporting residents’ needs at all times', Hiqa inspectors found the old Midleton Community Hospital building failed to meet its standards.

Residents of Midleton Community Hospital lack privacy and dignity, health watchdog Hiqa has warned, as the wait goes on for a new nursing home that was due to be complete in 2024.

Residents at the Cork nursing home said they are “sick of waiting” for a new building to be delivered, according to a report published on Monday.

In response, HSE South-West said the new building was handed over last week for registration and equipping. However, no specific date has been given for its opening.

It is one of seven new nursing homes expected to be delivered under a public-private partnership between the HSE and joint venture company Equisisk.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster admitted recently that the public-private project has faced “interminable delays”.

Despite staff being “committed to supporting residents’ needs at all times”, Hiqa inspectors found the old building failed to meet its standards. Staff are using privacy screens to help residents who need space for reading, visiting, or sleeping.

Residents also told Hiqa: “They keep telling us it won’t be long more, and we’re still waiting. We’ve been told that since last year.” 

Hiqa said the new home will offer “modern ensuite single rooms and communal areas that do not compromise residents’ personal space".

The builders — John Sisk & Sons with Equitix — have just given over the new 50-bed unit to the HSE.

“Once the unit has been registered with Hiqa, we will be able to confirm a date for the opening of the Midleton community nursing home and a phased transfer of residents to their new home," a HSE spokeswoman said.

The HSE has started workforce planning. 

Staffing, infection control, fire safety

Out of 50 Hiqa reports published on Monday, 13 nursing homes were non-compliant with three regulations or less. Some 11 centres were non-compliant on four or more regulations.

Concerns included staffing, infection control, fire safety, care plans, premises, healthcare, protection and residents' rights.

Fire safety risks were highlighted at Dungarvan Community Hospital, with issues flagged around the building and maintenance of alarms.

At St Theresa's Nursing Home in Thurles staff shortages are so acute at times that workers had to be brought in from another nursing home to help.

Concerns were also raised about infection control, with inspectors noting “no evidence” of testing for flu, covid, or RSV.

Meanwhile, Nursing Homes Ireland has warned of “significant gaps” in supports pledged in the programme for government relating to the nursing home sector.

It graded the Government's performance on its commitments on a scale from A to F. It found a key commitment to increase funding for the fair deal funding packages deserved only a middling grade at C.

It was critical of failures to build more public nursing home beds, saying this received a D grade only. Plans to review pricing in order to bring funding for private and public homes closer together were marked as F due to lack of progress.

Another commitment to offer clearer career pathways for healthcare assistants was marked at C grade.

• Niamh Griffin is the Health Correspondent with the Irish Examiner.