Plans in place to rectify issues at Bantry residential centre after Hiqa report

IMPROVEMENT works are under way after a residential centre in Bantry for adults with intellectual disabilities was marked non-compliant in seven of nine areas examined in a recent report by Hiqa.

It was marked compliant in the areas of health care and protection, with staff supporting residents in a caring and dignified manner, however improvements were required in relation to living conditions, rights, assessed needs, and the provider’s monitoring of the centre.

The unannounced inspection of Bantry Residential, under provider CoAction West Cork CLG, took place over two days in November 2023.

The report explains that the provider was issued with three urgent actions regarding governance and management, the premises, and fire precautions.

Bantry Residential comprises of four units and is registered to accommodate 17 residents, but only had six at the time of inspection.

The Hiqa report notes: 

“One resident told the inspector that the house was cold and they did not like living there.”

Sharing the bathroom with others was an issue for one resident who “described to the inspector how it was hard to wait to go to the bathroom when someone else was being showered, as it was a long wait”.

“They also said they would like to do more activities, like go to Mass, but they don’t ask as they know staff are under pressure,” the report noted.

An unkempt utility room, a notably dirty kitchen area and dirt lodged between the flooring and the cupboards were some issues in one house noted in the report. Rust and mould were also noted, while the house was also cold.

The first floor of the house accommodated two residents, but there was a toilet facility at the end of the hallway with a built-in shower that was not in use, with a sign noting “not to use the shower ever”. The inspector was told the residents on the first floor used the bathroom downstairs, but noted: “This was not supportive of the assessed needs of the residents.”

While it is noted that “staff interactions with residents were very person-centred and caring”, and residents told the inspector that they were very happy with staff, there were staffing issues identified, though it was noted that the centre had tried a number of recruitment initiatives.

There were also issues noted in relation to fire doors not closing correctly and furniture blocking some exits.

The report also notes progress made since the inspection, citing ongoing HR recruitment strategies to address staffing issues and maintenance work to ensure all fire doors close properly and evacuation routes are safe and accessible to all residents.

It also noted a deep clean was conducted in January 2024 and that a contract is being sought to provide a schedule of regular professional cleaning, that work is being done to make more bathrooms available and the process of refurbishing the property to make it compliant is also in progress.

A spokesperson for the centre told The Echo: “We are aware of the concerns outlined in the Hiqa report regarding Bantry Residential. Presently, we are actively collaborating with Hiqa, and comprehensive plans are already in operation to rectify these identified issues.”