Three Runwood care homes get clearance to admit new residents

HEALTH officials have lifted sanctions imposed on three care homes owned by the same company as Dunmurry Manor.

RunwoodHomeshassaidnew residents can now be admitted to Glenabbey Manor in Glengormley, Clifton Nursing Home in north Belfast and Rose Court in Ballymena.

It comes after the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) inspected the properties and found that a range of concerns raised following previous visits had been addressed.

A statement from Runwood Homes said the Northern Trust had lifted an embargo on new admissions to the three homes in light of recent RQIA inspections.

Apart from a requirement of no more than two new residents per week to ensure safe planned admission at Clifton Nursing Home, none of Runwood Homes’ facilities in Northern Ireland is subject to healthcare authority restrictions.

The firm’s chief operating officer, Gavin O’Hare-Connolly, said: “We are pleased that the improved standards of care and practise have been recognised by the RQIA and the trusts.

“We hope that our latest news will give the local communities surrounding our homes assurances that there are no concerns.

“Runwood Homes are running a professional and stable service where care quality meets the levels expected and set by the trusts and nursing and residential care home standards.

“Our new structure supports our enhanced quality governance agenda, and has realised proactive monitoring of our services to Rose Court in Ballymena is one of three Runwood care homes in Northern Ireland where new residents can be admitted again after inspectors from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority lifted their embargo after finding that a range of concerns had been addressed ensure the high standard of care we expect is as standard.”

Concerns had been raised about conditions in a number of Runwood Homes properties in recent years and one facility, Ashbrooke Care Home in Enniskillen, was shut by the RQIA as it posed a serious risk to life.

In June, the company was heavily criticised by the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland for its management of Dunmurry Manor.

The PSNI have since begun an investigation into what happened at the home.