A NUMBER of actions are underway after an unannounced inspection in Ramelton Community Hospital revealed major non-compliances, the HSE has said.
Fire precautions, premises and governance and management were found not to be compliant following the inspection by Health Information and and Quality Authority (HIQA) in July. Report findings were published this week.
Ramelton Community Hospital is a designated centre registered to provide health and social care to 29 male and female residents, primarily over the age of 65.
The report states the oversight of fire precautions in the centre was not robust, and did not adequately support effective fire safety arrangements and keep residents safe.
“The providers’ in-house fire management systems, such as audits and the fire register, had not identified fire risks and did not fully support the oversight of fire in the centre. These were in regard to storage arrangements, compartmentation measures, fire precautions, fire doors, fire containment, means of escape and evacuation procedures.”
Inappropriate storage practices were found at the underside of a protected escape staircase.
“A bicycle, wheelchairs and walking aids were found in this area, which created an escape risk. Furthermore, a protected corridor on the first floor was found to be used as a storage area for cardboard boxes, wheelchairs and walking aids. This compromised the means of escape and lacked oversight of fire safety management by the provider.”
Inspectors found the current layout of 14 single-occupancy rooms do not meet the needs for residents who require assistive devices, such as a hoist or specialised large wheelchairs as the space available in each room is limited and does not provide sufficient space for the safe use of and moving and handling equipment.
The report states: “Some areas on the first floor had signs of water ingress and required redecoration to improve appearance. Furthermore, unsightly breaks and holes were noted in walls and ceilings around services that required repair.”
The provider had completed a significant amount of fire safety work to the centre in 2023 and was working towards bringing the centre into compliance. Notwithstanding this, inspectors found the service was non-compliant with the regulations in a number of areas.
“Fire drills were being regularly practised based on evacuating two to three residents. However, a fully simulated compartment drill based on the largest compartment when staff resources were at their lowest had not been carried out since November 2023,” the inspection report states.
A number of actions are being undertaken to help reach compliance. These include that an in-house fire management system has been reviewed and will be more robust in identifying fire risks going forward as to adequately support effective fire safety arrangements which will assure the safety of all residents.
Maintenance have completed checks on all fire doors and the external smoking area now has a fire blanket, a fire extinguisher and a metal ashtray installed. Emergency lighting has been checked and all is in working order.
Furthermore, a new one-page Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEPS) has been developed and implemented for each resident.
In a statement issued this week, a HSE spokesperson said: “The overall feedback from residents who spoke with the inspector was that they were happy and liked living in Ramelton Community Hospital. They shared positive feedback about the centre and the care they received.
“HSE Older Persons Services in the Donegal Integrated Healthcare Area will continue to work to ensure that robust governance, quality and safety arrangements are in place within Ramelton Community Hospital to ensure high quality services are experienced ongoing by its residents.”
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