Residents of Cork nursing home 'left in bed until lunch’ due to lack of staff 

Hiqa inspectors highlighted staffing levels at two Cork nursing homes. At one of them, residents said delays with morning care meant they couldn’t get up at a time of their choosing

Hiqa said the number and skill mix of staff was 'not appropriate' to meet the needs of the 47 residents living in the centre on the day of inspection. File picture posed by model: iStock 

Staffing was identified as an issue in two Cork nursing homes by health watchdog inspectors, who found that residents remained in bed until lunchtime in one centre due to insufficient staff to help them out.

Aperee Living in Conna in North Cork was found to be compliant in six areas, substantially compliant in three, but not compliant in four areas in the latest Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) reports.

The number and skill mix of staff was “not appropriate” to meet the needs of the 47 residents living in the centre on the day of inspection. The activity staff position was vacant, but one of the care staff was assigned to support residents with activities and opportunities for meaningful occupation.

On the morning of the inspection, staff engaged with residents in one-to-one activities and a group exercise session, and then a local priest attended to celebrate Mass with the residents.

Residents spoke positively about schedule

Residents spoke very positively about the activity schedule in the centre. However, many of them told the inspector there were delays, especially with morning care, which meant they couldn’t get up at a time of their choosing.

More than 80% of the residents living in the centre were assessed as having maximum or high dependency needs, therefore requiring more care and attention from staff.

The inspector saw that six residents were still requiring personal care by lunch time, therefore they were in bed for longer than the residents would have liked.

Residents: Staff were rushed off their feet  

Residents who spoke with the inspector outlined that staff were rushed off their feet and they often experienced delays with care and assistance when they requested it.

The provider told Hiqa after the inspection that staffing levels have since been reviewed and increased to ensure that residents are supported to get up at a time of their choosing.

The revised staffing arrangements provide additional support during peak morning periods to reduce any delays in personal care delivery.

Staffing issue at Cobh Community Hospital

Staffing was also identified as an issue at Cobh Community Hospital, with Hiqa saying a review must be undertaken of night time cover. The centre, home to 37 residents, was found compliant in five areas, substantially compliant in 10, and not compliant in two.

Meals looked appetising and residents said the quality of food was good and there was good choice. However inspectors noted that desserts, jelly, ice-cream and mousse, were seen to melt before being served as they were brought to the dining room early.

Inspectors also said many of the deficits identified on the previous inspection of May 2025 were not addressed, despite a compliance plan from the provider saying they were completed.

One repeat finding was that residents had insufficient storage with just a single wardrobe and, because of the layout of some twin occupancy bedrooms, residents did not have access to a bedside locker.

Complaints were not properly recorded

Another repeat finding was that complaints, actions taken on foot of a complaint, and outcomes of complaints were not fully and properly recorded, so inspectors could not say if residents’ issues were being adequately addressed, while there was also a lack of information about how to make a complaint.

Another area of concern was fire safety — no simulated evacuations had taken place since March 2025, when additional practice sessions to ensure evacuation could be completed in a timely and safe manner were recommended.

One resident required wheelchair assistance for long distances, yet their evacuation plan detailed they would be able to walk in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The provider said after the inspection that the complaints procedure and bedroom storage arrangements will be reviewed, as will cold desserts “to ensure they are served at an appropriate temperature and in a suitable condition for residents”.

In terms of fire safety, they said that more regular simulated evacuations have been carried out, and that residents’ personal plans have been “redesigned from scratch”.