HIQA has issued reports two accommodation providers for older people in Donegal, Falcarragh Community Hospital, which had 11 residents when it was inspected in July, and Larissa Lodge in Letterkenny, which had 42 residents when it was inspected in August.
In the cases of Falcarragh Community Hospitak, the inspector said the provider had failed to progress the refurbishment work of the building in line with their compliance plan since the previous inspection.
In addition, the provider had not made necessary arrangements to prevent residents and staff from accessing the unmaintained and unsupervised parts of the centre, and as a result, residents and staff were found accessing these unsafe areas.
Non compliances were recorded in the areas of Governance and Management, Premises and Infectioon Control.
The full Falcarragh report can be accessed at https://www.hiqa.ie/system/files?file=inspectionreports/619-falcarragh-community-hospital-25-august-2022.pdf
A report on Larissa Lodge Nursing Home in Letterkenny noted several improvements from the previous
inspection, but added that significant focus is now required to ensure that the residents are adequately supported in line with their social care needs and their preferences and capabilities.
One non-compliance was noted, in the area of governance.
The full Larissa Lodge report can be accessed at https://www.hiqa.ie/system/files?file=inspectionreports/5791-larissa-lodge-nursing-home-29-july-2022.pdf
HSE Response to Falcarragh report –
Re: HIQA inspection at Falcarragh Community Hospital
Falcarragh Community Hospital is a 35 bed Residential Care Facility in Falcarragh, Co Donegal providing Assessment, Respite, Long Term Care, and Palliative Care for clients within the Falcarragh Catchment Area.
It provides 11 long term care beds and 24 short term care beds.
Falcarragh currently are operating at 11 Long Stay beds due to upcoming planned refurbishment.
A HIQA inspection was carried out at Falcarragh Community Hospital on August 25th 2022 and the report was published on the HIQA website on October 27th 2022.
The report found the hospital to be compliant in six areas, substantially compliant in three areas and non-compliant in three areas.
There were procedures in place to protect residents and visitors unfamiliar with public health guidelines on safe visiting. Alternative areas to resident’s bedrooms were available and used to facilitate residents to meet with their visitors.
Staff who spoke with the inspector were knowledgeable regarding safeguarding residents and were aware of their responsibility to report any allegations, disclosures or suspicions of abuse. Staff were familiar with the reporting structures in place. Measures were in place to facilitate all staff to attend safeguarding training.
A centre specific complaints policy was in place and available to staff. The complaints policy identified the nominated complaints officer and included an appeals process. A summary of the complaints procedure was displayed on the notice board at the centre’s reception.
The HSE can confirm that action has been taken to address all areas of concern highlighted on the day of the inspection.
The Provider and PIC together with Estates Department have reviewed the refurbishment plans for Tory wing to ensure that the planned accommodation for the residents will be complaint with Regulation 12 when complete.
In order to assure independent and safe mobility for residents while accessing the toilet in the assisted bathroom in Gola Wing, the PIC has removed the grab rails as identified by the inspector and replaced them with Blue coloured hinged grab rails which are secured to the wall. This work was completed on September 12th 2022.
Compliant racking has been installed in the sluice room, and was completed on September 12th 2022.
All residents have unrestricted and safe access to an outdoor space following installation of wave exit hard ware onto the exit / entrance door to the outside courtyard. This was completed on September 12th 2022.
The PIC completed a risk assessment on the closure of the unsupervised areas of Tory wing. The Risk Assessment describes the risk to the residents and controls in place to mitigate the risk submitted to the Inspector on August 29th 2022. The Tory wing access is now limited for fire safety purposes and essential maintenance.
Martin Collum, General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person centered services to the residents in Falcarragh Community Hospital”.
