Residents of Cork nursing unit to be moved to new facility by end of year

Residents in St Finbarr’s community nursing unit will be moved to a new facility by the end of this year, the HSE has said, as Hiqa found they were spending much of the day in bed due to insufficient communal space.

Overall, the unit was marked compliant in seven areas, substantially compliant in three, and not compliant in two, and many positives were pointed out by inspectors. 

However, they said that the premises “did not and could not meet the holistic needs of people living in the centre”.

Inspectors noted that there were limited sanitary facilities — St Elizabeth’s sanitary facilities for 13 residents comprised three toilets and one shower, while St Enda’s unit had one toilet and one shower for eight residents.

Residents in some units did not have access to a safe outdoor space. Furthermore, one external area presented a high risk, as it was also used for deliveries, while another could not be accessed independently due to the ridge at the entrance to the garden being a fall risk.

Some four-bedded rooms did not meet the privacy and dignity needs of residents, as the ensuite facility intruded on the bedspace available, and all that could be accommodated was a bed and locker per person. Wardrobe space was limited, and a bedside chair could not be accommodated in rooms.

Shared 

Residents shared a TV, which meant they did not have a choice of programme, and it was not always easy to watch TV when in bed.

There was inadequate communal space for the number of residents living in the centre also. Dining and day space were combined, and many of these rooms could not accommodate the number of residents living in the unit.

Hiqa wrote: “As found on all previous inspections, the institutional design and layout of the centre negatively impacted the rights, independence, privacy, and dignity of residents.

“Residents did not have choice in where they could spend their day, as dining and day spaces very limited and combined, and could not accommodate the number of residents on many units, so a number of residents still continued to spend a large part of the day by their bed or in bed because of this.”

A HSE spokesperson told inspectors: “A new 105-bedded community nursing unit has been built, and will be occupied in Q4 2026. All issues in relation to the premises will be addressed. Single-room accommodation will be available.

“There will be adequate storage space, adequate communal spaces, and dining rooms for residents will be available. There will be sufficient access to shower and toilet facilities. There will be access to enclosed gardens available to all residents.”