The health watchdog found that a centre for older people in Kerry failed to appropriately investigate or manage allegations and incidents of abuse.
The Health Information and Quality Authority today published a report arising from an unannounced inspection at Ospidéal Pobal Chorca Dhuibhne (West Kerry Community Hospital).
Ospidéal Pobal Chorca Dhuibhne provides 24-hour nursing care to both male and female residents through long-term care, respite, convalescence and palliative care.
HIQA found the high levels of non-compliance found on inspection, posed a risk to the safety and wellbeing of residents.
HIQA carried out this unannounced inspection on 25th March, in response to an increase in safeguarding incidents reported to have occurred in the West Kerry Community Hospital.
Prior to the inspection, HIQA inspectors held a meeting with the HSE on 10th March, during which the HSE made commitments to address the issues identified; on inspection, HIQA found the HSE had failed to implement the actions they committed to at that meeting.
HIQA said significant action was required to comply with regulations.
Inspectors found the HSE failed to take reasonable measures to protect residents from abuse, and to adhere to their own policy on safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse.
A number of allegations and incidents of abuse were not appropriately investigated or managed, and appropriate action was not taken in a timely manner, to ensure residents were protected.
A lack of staff supervision, monitoring and support had a direct negative impact on the delivery of care to residents.
The HSE was also late notifying HIQA about incidents, by up to 64 days, even though they are required to be notified in writing within two days of any incidents.
Residents’ health care needs were met to a high standard, but the majority of residents spent the day in their bedroom, or lying on their bed.
Despite this, residents told inspectors they were well looked after and happy living there, and staff interactions with residents were seen to be generally kind.
Inspectors also found there was no one assigned to reception, meaning there was no way of monitoring who was entering the centre, and no way of ensuring the door was locked in the evening.
The HSE was required to carry out actions to come into compliance with the regulations.
The HSE said it implemented enhanced safeguarding plans regarding staff members involved in abuse allegations, and an incident tracker has been developed and implemented.
All safeguarding incidents, complaints, and HIQA notifications have been reviewed, and a robust complaints monitoring process has been implemented.
