The health watchdog says action is required at Tralee Community Nursing Unit to address shortcomings in governance, food provision and complaints management.
The unannounced inspection, carried out on October 8th, 2025, assessed the centre’s adherence to regulations governing the care and welfare of older people.
The HSE-run facility is registered to accommodate 43 residents, with 41 living there on the day.
While inspectors reported that residents were generally happy with their care and felt safe, the centre was found to be not compliant in three key areas, governance and management, food and nutrition, and complaints procedures.
HIQA said management systems were not sufficiently robust to ensure care was safe, consistent and effectively monitored.
Inspectors also highlighted a high reliance on agency staff, which they said impacted continuity of care and staff familiarity with residents’ needs.
The centre was found to be substantially compliant in three areas: training and staff development, premises, and registration requirements, with inspectors noting that improvements were required to achieve full compliance.
Concerns were raised about mealtime experiences, with residents reporting that food was sometimes cold or unappetising. Inspectors observed inconsistent dining standards between units and limited meal choice, as food was largely delivered from an external hospital kitchen.
The report also found that complaints raised by residents and families were not always formally recorded, despite a policy being in place.
However, the centre was found to be fully compliant across 12 out of 18 areas, including staffing numbers, healthcare provision, infection control, fire safety, and safeguarding.
HIQA acknowledged ongoing improvement works at the centre and a strong activities programme, which residents said contributed positively to their quality of life.
The HSE has submitted a compliance plan outlining actions to address the identified shortcomings, and HIQA will continue to monitor the centre to ensure improvements are implemented within the required timeframes.
