Care Home Standards Slammed

Hot on the heels of news that a health watchdog has called for a "culture change" at hospitals in the North after unannounced inspectors found evidence of poor hygiene at all five visited, Altnagelvin, Causeway, Downe, Craigavon and the City hospitals, allegations have emerged that poor care and even abuse if rife at a number of nursing homes in counties Donegal, Cork and Kerry.

While in Northern Ireland the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority said its inspectors observed dirty commodes, decrepit buildings, and staff not washing their hands, complaints made by families in the Irish Republic over the last three years about the level of care in both public and private homes appear to have substance.

A Health Service Executive-run public nursing home in Co Donegal was examined after a family complained that socks were put on their father's hands and arms and then tied together and that he was also put facing the wall - like a schoolroom 'dunce'.

An investigation by the HSE upheld the complaint and sanctions were imposed on the staff involved after two nurses have admitted tying up the man.

At a private home in Letterkenny, an elderly resident was found to have a broken shoulder two months after a fall at the home in 2006.

A complaint by the woman's family, which was upheld, said they had made repeated calls for medical assistance after their mother complained regularly of pain.

Following an HSE investigation, it found "staff did not respond appropriately to repeated complaints of pain" by the family.

Out of 76 complaints against 34 private nursing homes in Cork and Kerry, 64 were upheld.

See: Minister Welcomes Hospital Hygiene Report

(BMcC)