West Cork nursing home not compliant in area of residents’ rights

A West Cork nursing home was marked not compliant in the area of residents’ rights after it was observed that residents were put to bed at 5.30pm.

A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report into Castletownbere Community Hospital, which is run by the HSE, found it compliant in 10 areas, substantially compliant in six, and not compliant in two.

The inspector noted that residents spoken with on the day of inspection were happy with the care they received and complimentary of the service provided. However, they added that residents were “not afforded choice in aspects of daily life”.

For example, the inspector observed that residents had their breakfast either in bed or in their bedrooms, and residents were not offered the choice to attend the dining room for breakfast.

They also observed that at 5.30pm there were no residents in the day room. The staff had returned all residents to their bedrooms, even though some residents were seen to play cards by their bedside and others watched television.

The inspector said: 

“This practice did not facilitate residents to socialise in the day room, watch TV, or listen to music with their friends, or receive visitors and then retire to their bedrooms at a later, more normal time.”

Additionally, some privacy bed screens in multi-occupancy bedrooms were not being fully engaged to ensure the privacy and dignity of residents while receiving personal care.

TVs were mounted very high on the wall in some multi-occupancy bedrooms which made it difficult for residents to view the TV from a bed or a bedside chair.

The physiotherapy room in the centre was not available for residents’ use as it was being used to store old equipment, despite a commitment given following the inspection in January, 2024, that this would be addressed.

The centre assured that they have spoken to all staff and implemented a performance measure to ensure the paperwork providing residents’ choice of where they eat their meals is completed and actioned, and have ensured that residents who wish to remain in the day room in the evening have been facilitated.

The management team have further ensured that staff are informed daily of the importance to make sure screens and doors are closed during residents receiving personal care.

They have also liaised with a contractor to ensure TVs are mounted nearer to the residents, and said they will ensure the physiotherapy room will be converted to a hair salon and beauty room.