Letter to the Editor: Substandard care homes get root and branch review
Report after report has shown many nursing and care homes are woefully substandard. In fact, we have had nothing but negative reports documenting a litany of failings.
In addition we have learned of abuse by staff of patients and residents involving physical and sometimes sexual abuse.
Hygiene standards and patient safety reports from Hiqa detail shocking conditions in too many of our medical/care facilities.
It should be no surprise that people are dying in these facilities — but they are not all dying of Covid-19.
We cannot accept any such notion, because people die of a range of natural causes. However, that is the impression given.
Not all nursing homes are substandard, however we owe nothing to frontline staff in substandard facilities who have been given a kick up the backside with the current situation, it’s time they did their jobs, given all the shocking Hiqa reports.
It should also be remembered that Hiqa had to order the winding up of many homes.
It is no surprise that disease could spread in such conditions. At least one good thing has come out of the current situation and that is a root-and-branch review and clean out of our dreadful long-term care and end-of-life facilities.
