An inspection of an Ennis disability care centre has found staff are forced to get up twice each night to attend to residents’ needs due to staffing issues.
The Health Information and Quality Authority’s inspection of The Glens on the Clare Road in the county town has identified staffing resources as the area of most concern at the facility.
On the day of the inspection on February 6th, seven residents were present at the facility which is operated by the Brothers of Charity.
The report states that when inspectors visited the facility, it “did not have in place the staffing resources needed”.
Due to staff shortages, ‘sleepover’ staff had to get up twice each night to attend to the needs of residents – a practice inspectors described as “not sustainable”.
Furthermore, the person in charge admitted it was possible that a staff member who had worked a disturbed sleepover shift could be rostered for a day shift.
Staffing was also found to have affected residents’ general welfare and development as while residents enjoy a “broad range of activities”, staff shortages “limited residents’ opportunities, choices and
preferences”.
In addition, problems were identified in the area of ‘protection’ as it was “unclear from records seen why one concern raised was not screened as a safeguarding matter”.
The facility was found compliant in 11 areas, substantially compliant in two and non-compliant in one.
The provider has committed to rectifying the issues identified, noting it’s received assurances that a business case for additional staff funding will be approved by the end of June this year.
