Major instances of non-compliance with standards have been found in nursing homes in Co Dublin, Co Cork, Co Limerick and Co Mayo, a series of reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) show.
Nineteen new reports on inspections carried out at nursing homes were published by the authority on its website on Friday and Saturday.
In relation to a number of homes, there were findings of major non-compliance in relation to some of the issues inspected.
The inspections were all carried out late last year and were mostly unannounced.
The inspectors who visited the Tí Aire Nursing Home Centre in Belmullet, Co Mayo, in October, found that nursing levels were not consistently adequate to ensure residents’ safety and that they received appropriate healthcare.
The inspectors noted that there was only one staff nurse on duty from 6pm to 8am to oversee the needs of 47 residents, the majority of whom were either maximum or high dependency residents.
An unannounced inspection of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Curraheen Road, Co Cork, in October found major non-compliance in relation to safeguarding and safety, as well as health and risk.
The inspectors were concerned about the unrestricted access to sluice rooms, kitchens and store rooms at the centre, and the associated risk to residents from hot water and chemicals.
These rooms were subsequently secured.
An unannounced inspection of the Good Counsel Nursing Home on Kilmallock Road, Limerick, led to three findings of major non-compliance.
It found that some staff were not trained in fire drills and an inadequate number of staff who were trained in fire drills were on duty at night.
Inspectors were concerned by the fact that some residents persisted in smoking in their rooms rather than in the dedicated smoking room.
The inspectors found burn marks on the sheets in one room.
The inspection also found that a nurse had decided on a “do not attempt to resuscitate” policy for a resident, in consultation with the resident’s family, when national policy stated that such decisions should involve a consultant or registrar.
Kinsale Community Hospital
In relation to Kinsale Community Hospital, Kinsale, Co Cork, an unannounced inspection in September found three areas of major non-compliance.
One of the issues involved the building, which was built in the 19th-century and wasfound to have significant limitations that negatively impacted on the freedom, choice, privacy and dignity of the residents.
An unannounced inspection of Hollybrook Lodge, Bulfin Road, Dublin 8, in November found major non-compliance in relation to complaints procedures.
While there was evidence that some issues raised by relatives were acted upon, it was also found that the complaints were not documented or managed in line with national policy.
A number of the reports also noted staff at centres were working long hours.
The reports can be read online.
