Issues at Youghal Community Hospital addressed following inspection

Issues regarding fire safety, the complaints procedure, and the building premises have been addressed in a nursing home in Youghal following a recent inspection.

In May, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) carried out an inspection at Youghal Community Hospital’s Designated Centre for Older People.

The centre was marked compliant in eight areas, and the inspector noted that there was a homely atmosphere in the facility and all residents were observed by the inspector to be content and, in general, appeared satisfied with their care.

However, the centre was marked not compliant in three areas namely; complaints procedure, premises, and fire precautions.

It was marked ‘substantially compliant’ in a further five, which means some action is required to be fully compliant.

Complaints 

The report noted that a record of complaints was not available to the inspector, and records of recent complaints could not be sourced, leaving the inspector unclear if complaints were ever documented.

It said the centre consisted of a two-storey building on an elevated site which had sea views, and renovations had been undertaken in recent years while awaiting the commencement of a new building.

However, stained, indented, and scuffed flooring in some bedrooms, some damaged wardrobe doors, radiators rusty at the base, and privacy curtains needing replacement in a shared bedroom were noted, as well as issues with some call bells.

Staff training was found to be not fully up to date, including in infection control and responsive behaviour, and four staff required annual fire safety training.

There was a range of other issues pertaining to fire safety which led to the centre being marked not compliant in this area including that not all fire doors closed properly, the report said, and a smoking area that had been set up for one resident had no fire blanket or extinguisher.

Fridges used for the storage of medicines were not locked, and not all medicines were signed for when administered, creating a risk that all medicines would not be safely accounted for, it noted.

Access to the occupational therapist and the physiotherapist was described as “problematic” with delays ensuing, due to vacancies — though one post had been filled recently, access for residents was described as “poor” and limited.

Rights of residents 

While the inspector observed that, in general, the rights of residents were respected, the centre was marked substantially compliant in the area.

One resident had recently moved room and it was unclear if appropriate consultation had taken place prior to this move.

Additionally, in a number of care plans reviewed, activity involvement had not been recorded regularly for a number of residents, particularly those who were in bed or in their room.

The last activity entry for one resident was recorded as occurring on March 16, 2021.

Finally, renovations had been completed in a new dining room, but it was only used on a limited basis, meaning that residents were eating their meals in the bedrooms or in communal rooms.

The report showed that work had taken place since the inspection to address some of the issues raised.

The centre noted that since the inspection, “staff are actively encouraging and promoting the use of the newly decorated dining room to residents”, adding that this will also be raised at the next residents’ meeting.

Additionally, call bells and privacy curtains are now in place and the areas requiring attention under the premises section have been addressed, as well as all issues highlighted with regards fire safety.

Complaint logs are now available, the medicine fridge is now locked, and all staff who needed further training have now completed it or are scheduled to.