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Funding issue cited in HIQA report on Sligo unit

A SLIGO community nursing unit has agreed to implement reconfigurations of its building by June 2015, "as funding becomes available,'' to meet a series of demands by the statutory inspection agency.

The works required will include provision of adequate facilities for residents of the unit to ''appropriately'' store their clothes and also to provide a sufficient number of baths, showers and sufficient toilets for wheelchair users.

The commitment follows an unannounced inspection of the home by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The one day inspection was carried out on April 18th last and follows three previous inspections at the unit, situated in the town of Ballymote.

HIQA praised Nazareth House Management Ltd -- a voluntary organisation: "The centre's management team demonstrated a positive attitude towards complaints and ensured an environment conducive to to residents and their families to raise issues."

HIQA has the statutory power to arrive, announced or unannounced, in any healthcare setting in the State. It publishes all its inspection reports.

Risk Management

The Ballymote unit opened in 1985, with day care facilities added a decade later has 25 beds. It provides long term care for dependent older people and respite care for seven people. The grounds are shared with 28 sheltered housing units.

A total of 12 improvements had been identified and agreed after a previous two-day HIQA inspection  of the unit in June 2011.

The most recent HIQA inspection said that five of those 12 actions had been addressed satisfactorily, one partially progressed and six were not completed.

Exit Doors

"The Inspector found aspects of service that needed improvement included a review of risk management to ensure accessibility to exit doors did not pose a hazard to residents safety.

Two rear doors and one at the side were not closely monitored, said HIQA. "These doors were not secured and easily opened from inside," it added.

The HIQA inspection in April noted on its visit that five staff had yet to receive updated training in the safe moving and handling of residents but a management response on this item indicated it would be completed by June.

Overall Role

The inspection also noted issues in governance arrangements to manage risk situations; "The (Missing Persons) policy did not specify who had the overall role and responsibility for health and safety procedures," said HIQA.

Aspects of restraint management required review, HIQA further ruled and added: "The Inspector identified (that) care plans were not reviewed at the required three monthly intervals in the sample examined."

The 22 page assessment and report by Inspector PJ Wynne was released online last Friday, July 13th.

The Chair of the Ballymote unit's Board is Mr Pat Gaughan, former Deputy CEO of the extinct North Western Health Board, now HSE.

A total of 32 staff are employed in the unit, including eight nurses and 12 care assistants, plus catering, administration and maintenance.

Link to complete report (centre ID 330, Friday July 13th): http://www.hiqa.ie/social-care/find-a-centre/inspection-reports