HIQA report shows serious breaches at Co Leitrim Hospital

A new HIQA report has shown serious breaches at St Patrick’s Community Hospital in County Leitrim. 
Inspectors found that in some cases residents were only offered a bath or shower once a month.
In most cases residents were offered a shower just once a fortnight.
Sean Defoe reports
Of the 18 standard that HIQA test just 6 were found fully compliant.
Four were classed as major non compliant breaches while five others were moderately non compliant.
The report found that some staff did not have up to date training in fire safety or to cater for the protection of vulnerable adults.
The inspectors found there was insufficient staffing and that current staff were not deployed in a manner that met the needs of residents.
It also found that the design and layout impacted the privacy and dignity of the residents, who sleep in dormitory style bedrooms of 4 to 6 beds each.
Staff, residents and relatives have to walk through these rooms to access communal areas.
The report also stated that there was inadequate toilet and showering facilities at the hospital.
HIQA has investigated St Patricks in the past, with little progress shown since prior inspections.