HEALTH AUTHORITIES are proceeding with the closure of an Athlone nursing home even though most of the shortcomings there identified by inspectors have been addressed.
The Health Service Executive said last month it was closing Loughloe House, a public nursing home with accommodation for 39 residents. About 1,000 people subsequently took part in a march in Athlone in protest.
The HSE acted on foot of a critical inspection report on the facility by inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority. The Hiqa report, compiled following a visit to the home in February, said some residents were taken out of bed only every second day due to staff shortages.
It also found “exceptionally high” levels of sick leave among staff, agency nurses being left in charge of the home at night without supervision or support, a lack of leadership and governance at the home. It said the standard of hygiene was poor and there were concerns about fire safety.
Hiqa returned to the home for a follow-up inspection on May 20th. The report of this inspection, published yesterday, says 30 of the 37 actions which were required following the initial inspection have been completed.
It says the standard of hygiene has improved significantly, residents are cared for in a timely unrushed manner, only two residents were in bed by midday and a number of residents said the facility was “more homely”.
In addition, extra care staff were allocated to night duty and no agency staff were required. Staffing levels had also increased due to the decline in resident numbers. Fire safety had also improved and all staff had received training in the prevention and detection of elder abuse.
The HSE’s plan to close the unit has caused concern locally, with many including Sinn Féin’s health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin claiming the HSE was using the initial Hiqa report to close the home “as part of its public healthcare cutbacks”.
Following the publication of Hiqa’s latest inspection report yesterday, the HSE said it planned to go ahead with its closure.
“In its current format and capacity, Loughloe House remains unsustainable and will not meet all of the requirements outlined in the national quality standards for residential care settings for older people as monitored by Hiqa,” it said.
“The HSE is proceeding with the closure of the unit and continues to consult with residents and their families to assist them in accessing more suitable accommodation . . . The HSE accepts that this has been a very stressful time for the residents, their families and the staff at the facility.
“However, it should be stressed that this decision has been taken to protect the health and welfare of the residents concerned.”