HIQA has found that a number of residents at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Ennis went “periods of months” in which they say they were not allowed to shower as a result of decisions taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The HSE has apologised to residents and their families, and has commissioned a review of the facility.
Clare Fm’s Gavin Grace reports.
While HIQA have previously issued reports that have been critical of the premises at St. Joseph’s, today’s report represents its most strident criticism to date of the care of its residents.
It follows an “announced short notice inspection” in March, at a time when there were 65 residents.
Also at the time, the nursing home was also recovering from an outbreak of COVID-19, which had led to 32 positive cases and, sadly, six deaths.
There is some praise for St. Joseph’s from residents, including compliments on the food choices available, and the way that staff engaged with residents in a friendly manner. Residents’ medical and health care needs were also found to be met.
However, the report also states that residents told inspectors “they were not allowed to have showers” as a result of the COVID outbreak, in the event where they would require assistance.
This meant some residents went for what HIQA describes as “periods of months” without a shower.
The policy was immediately reversed, and subsequent audits of patient care were drawn up, along with a Quality Improvement Plan.
The report separately states that “management systems” at St. Joseph’s “required strengthening” to ensure a safe and effective service.”
It outlines how – around this time – construction was ongoing in the home’s Hazel Unit, and that before these works were finished – in the days prior to the inspection – a decision was made to move some residents back into the unit from the Alder Unit, but this was not risk assessed.
These works are now complete, and immediately after the inspection measures were taken to address specific concerns raised.
60% of staff had not completed safeguarding training, and 24% had not completed manual handling training.
In the area of infection control, the report states improvements were required, although a comprehensive policy was in place.
The HSE has issued a statement in which it apologises for failing to meet standards. It has commissioned a review into St. Joseph’s.
