HIQA has published reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal.
Inspections were carried out at Dungloe Community Hospital, Harbour Lights Nursing Home and St. Joseph’s Community Hospital at the start of the year.
A number of non-compliances were recorded in all three.
There were 32 residents at Dungloe Community Hospital when the announced inspection took place in February.
Inspectors found that the residents were well-supported in receiving person-centred care based on their needs and abilities and were supported to be active participants in the running of the centre.
The report found that the centre was non-compliant in the area of premises.
You can read the full report on Dungloe Community Hospital HERE.
HSE Media Statement RE HIQA inspection Dungloe Community Hospital
Dungloe Community Hospital is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and is a community based hospital accommodating the needs, mainly of the older person. Accommodation is provided for 34 residents. There are 17 beds allocated for long term care and the remaining are allocated for rehabilitation, convalescence, respite and palliative care.
The inspector spoke with several resident during the inspection, and their feedback was highly positive about the care and service they receive in this centre. Some of residents’ comments were that “this is an excellent place”, “I am getting a five-star treatment here”, “The food is excellent and I get plenty of food”, “ the staff are kind and they will do whatever I ask”, “they are a great team” and “I love the live music sessions.
There was a clearly defined management structure with a well-established management team. The management staff in the centre were actively involved in the management of the centre, and a clinical nurse manager worked on weekends to ensure that management support was available in the centre seven days a week. Staff were clear about their roles and the standards that are expected of them in their work.
The inspection took place on February 27th 2024 and the report was published on the HIQA website on May 29th 2024.
Out of 16 regulations the hospital was compliant with 12, three were substantially compliant and one was non-compliant.
The hospital was non-compliant with regulation 17 (Premises). The layout of some of the multi-occupancy bedrooms was not suitable to meet some specific resident’s needs and profiles.
A proposal by the Estates department was forwarded to HIQA to address the issues regarding space around the beds to enable the residents accommodated in these rooms to mobilize safely and access their wardrobes or to use the assistive equipment safely without encroaching on to the next bed space.
The bed adjacent to the en-suite in the three-bedroom rooms will only be used for mobile short-stay residents.After consulting with the residents, small shelves have been installed on the wall appropriately to display their photographs and valuables in all the bedrooms
Melissa Kelly, Acting General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE CH CDLMS said “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person centered services to the residents in Dungloe Community Hospital.”
There were 55 residents at Harbour Lights Nursing Home, Bruckless when the unannounced inspection took place in February.
Overall, the residents’ feedback about the care and service they received was positive and the inspector observed that they were generally enjoying a good quality of life.
However, the centre was seen to be non-compliant in the areas of governance and management, notification of incidents, complaints procedure, fire precautions and in managing challenging behaviour.
You can read the full report on Harbour Lights Nursing Home HERE.
There were 60 residents at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar when the announced inspection took place in January.
The inspectors found that residents were mostly supported by staff to make independent choices about their daily lives and enjoy a good quality of life in the centre.
The centre was non-compliant in four areas, which were governance and management, premises, fire precautions and residents’ rights.
In all three cases, management responses have outlined what steps are being taken to address the issues identified.
You can read the full report on St. Joseph’s Community Hospital HERE.
HSE Media Statement RE inspection St Joseph’s Community Hospital
St Joseph’s is 63 bedded centre located in Donegal which provides 24 hour care in Continuing Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation, Assessment, Palliative Care, Convalescence Care and Dementia Care.
Overall, care and services provided for residents were well managed and ensured that the service provided met residents’ assessed nursing and healthcare needs.
Inspectors observed that residents were mostly supported by staff to make independent choices about their daily lives and to enjoy a good quality of life in the centre.
The inspection was carried out on January 9th 2024 and the report was published on the HIQA website on May 29th 2024.
19 compliances were inspected with 12 fully compliant, three substantially compliant and four non-compliant.
To ensure privacy and dignity the cubicle toilets have been upgraded to create one large accessible toilet for resident use.
A phased plan of Fire upgrade works have commenced in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, with works expected to be completed by Qtr 4 2024.
An updated compliance plan was submitted to the Heath Information Quality Authority providing further assurances in relation to Regulation 23 and Regulation 28 on the 24th April 2024.
Melissa Kelly, Acting General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE CH CDLMS said “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person centered services to the residents in St Joseph’s Community Hospital.”
