Fine Gael calls for inspectorate to examine nursing homes

Fine Gael has called for the establishment of an independent national inspectorate to examine conditions in nursing homes around the State.

Mr Fergus O'Dowd TD said that various ministers for health over recent years had done nothing about the "disgusting, degrading and dangerous" situation in which some nursing-home residents were living.

He said an independent national inspectorate, separate from the country's health boards, was required.

"A fully transparent structure in nursing homes care must be set up.

"At the moment, following an investigation into the running procedures of a particular nursing home, the subsequent report is only given to the owners of that home," he said.

"This system must be changed, ensuring that each resident in the nursing home, their family or next of kin all be circulated with a full copy of the inspectorate's report."

Mr O'Dowd recently received details under the Freedom of Information Act of complaints made by relatives and internal concerns raised within the South Western Area Health Board going back to 2000 with regard to conditions in the controversial Rostrevor Nursing Home in Rathgar, Dublin.

Last August the health board sought a court injunction to close down the nursing home. However, the High Court ruled that it did not have the power to do so.

The board has initiated proceedings in the District Court to strike the Rostrevor Nursing Home from its register. This case is due to be heard in March.

Mr O'Dowd said that the majority of nursing homes in Ireland were of an excellent standard.

However, there were others which fell well below this threshold while at the same time charging more than a Grade A hotel for the provision of a disgraceful standard of care.

"At the moment the law does not allow a health board to close down a nursing home no matter what breaches may have occurred," he said.

"The law needs to be changed to assist health boards where direct intervention is required in a particular home, without any delay and to protect its residents."

Mr O'Dowd proposed that an independent inspectorate should have the staff and capacity to take over the running of a nursing home "at a minute's notice".

He also recommended that a system of on-the-spot fines be introduced for nursing homes in relation to litter, the lack of maintenance of a patients' register, unsigned drug requests, dirty bathrooms, inadequate heating or unhygienic storage of food.

Among the correspondence about Rostrevor Nursing Home obtained under the Freedom of Information Act were complaints about a patient being fed while sitting on a commode.