THE health watchdog has raised serious concerns about the protection of residents from abuse, following unannounced inspections in two Donegal facilities.
Health and Information Quality (HIQA) carried out inspections in St Eunan’s Nursing home, Letterkenny, and Brentwood Manor in Convoy.
St Eunan’s Nursing and Convalescent Home Limited is the provider of St Eunan’s Nursing Home, where significant improvements in the quality and safety of care were found to be needed.
Six were found by HIQA to be non-compliant.
In terms of quality and safety of care, the centre’s recruitment practices did not provide adequate assurances that safeguarding measures in place adequately protected the residents from abuse. Newly recruited staff were roistered to work in the centre without a garda vetting in place.
During the two-day visit, the inspector had to intervene when residents appeared distressed as their care needs were not attended to.
Infection prevention and control also required improvement.
It was noted the pharmacist had not visited the facility since the beginning of the pandemic.
Concerns were also raised about fire precautions.
Records showed that a recent simulated fire drill carried out in November 2021 with night time staffing was completed in 24 minutes, which was not an acceptable evacuation time.
Training and staff development and records were found to be compliant. The overall feedback from residents to the inspector was positive. Staff were caring and friendly.
Meanwhile, a one-day inspection of Brentwood Manor Private Nursing Home, Convoy, found its provider Brindley Manor Federation of Nursing Homes Limited’s risk management processes did not ensure risks were effectively managed.
The inspector found that two residents who had a history of responsive behaviour were found to not have appropriate behavioural support and a safeguarding plan in place.
The inspector was further not assured that all reasonable measures to protect residents from abuse were in place as not all staff were up to date with mandatory safeguarding training.
On a positive, the inspector found staff were attentive to residents’ needs for assistance and were kind and gentle in their interactions with residents on the day of the inspection.
Residents reported they felt safe in the centre and were well cared for by a team of staff who were respectful of their needs and wishes.