Hospital’s bedroom design impacted on the patients’ privacy and dignity
HIQA REPORT PUBLISHED FOLLOWING INSPECTIONS AT GOREY HOSPITAL AND MIDDLETOWN HOME
The ‘unsuitable design and layout of the two six bedded bedrooms impacted on the privacy and potentially dignity of residents’ at Gorey District Hospital, according to the latest Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report.
The announced inspection of Gorey District Hospital on September 19 and on September 20 also found that ‘garda vetting was in place for all staff except for two long standing staff members’, but inspectors were assured that the vetting in respect of the two members was in progress.
A second separate HIQA inspection also took place at Middletown Nursing Home on August 29 and on August 30 in Ardamine, Gorey, which was given praise for the standard of care carried out at the home.
Built in 1940 to replace an old workhouse to provide medical and maternity services, Gorey District Hospital now accommodates 23 residents both male and female over the age of 65 for short term care. There are three palliative care suites in the centre which can accommodate people above the age of 18. The hospital accepts full dependency patients, including residents with dementia.
HIQA found Gorey District Hospital premises was not compliant. They stated that the design and layout of the two six-bedded bedrooms continued to be inadequate to meet the needs of the residents, even though improvements had been made since the last inspection. In both rooms, there was a sub dividing wall with three beds accommodated on either side. Bed screens were provided, however the space between was inadequate with some only 60 inches apart. Residents in these stated their sleep was disturbed at night from others making noise and care activities being carried out.
Residents Rights were also found to be non compliant due to the unsuitable layout and design of the rooms. The inspector reported that it was evident that having up to six residents with such diverse health and social care needs in shared bedrooms accommodation impacted on residents privacy and their dignity. Even with the use of bed screens provided, it was difficult to see how some residents with reduced capacity, mobility or high care need could undertake personal activities in private.
The inspectors also noted that one of the shower room doors was not lockable. The person in charge immediately contacted the maintenance department to remedy the issue.
A representative for the hospital acknowledged that these six bedded bedrooms continued to be unsuitable and said that the planned building works would, when completed, significantly improve this issue for residents.
HIQA found Gorey Hospital to be compliant with its regulations in terms of application for registration or renewal of registration; persons in charge; staffing; directory of residents; insurance; governance and management; contract for the provision of services; statement of purpose; notification of incidents; compliant procedure; written policies and procedures; end of life; food and nutrition; information for residents; infection control; fire precautions; health care; and managing behaviour that is challenging.
The hospital was also found to be substantially compliant with its regulations in terms of training and staff development; visits; personal possessions; risk management; medicines and pharmaceutical services; individual assessment and care plan; protection.
Middletown Nursing Home at Ardamine, Gorey was given praise by HIQA for its standard of care.
In an inspection report published by HIQA, following on from the authority’s visit to the facility on August 29 and on August 30, 2018, the 50-bed nursing home was found to be fully compliant in 22 out 28 of regulations examined, while the remaining six were found to be substantially compliant.
Deepa George, Director of Nursing at Middletown Nursing Home, said they are all delighted with the marks they received for their hard work from HIQA.
‘Our amazing result is down to all the staff and team we have here in our nursing home,’ said Ms George. ‘Without the dedicated and hard working staff and team we have, we would not be able to do what we do. We will keep up the hard work to continue providing our services.’
Ms George thanked the team and staff for their hard work and to proprietors Joe and Ingrid for giving them a chance.
Opened in 1984, the centre has undergone a series of major extension and improvement works since then. The premises caters for residents of all dependencies – low, medium, high, and maximum, and provides 24 hour nursing care.
HIQA found Middletown Nursing Home to be compliant with its regulations in terms of capacity and capability; application for registration or renewal of registration; persons in charge; staffing; training and staff development; records; insurance; governance and management; notification of incidents; written policies and procedures; visits; personal possessions; end of life; food and nutrition; information for residents; temporary absence or discharge of residents; infection control; medicines and pharmaceutical services; individual assessment and care plan; health care; managing behaviour that is challenging; protection; and residents rights.
While they also found the nursing home to be substantially compliant with its regulations in terms of contract for the provision of services; statement of purpose; compliant procedure; premises; risk management; fire precautions.
As part of both inspections in Gorey District Hospital and Middletown Nursing Home, the inspectors spoke with residents and the people who visit them; talked with staff and management; observed practise and daily life; and reviewed documents.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW SOME RESIDENTS COULD UNDERTAKE PERSONAL ACTIVITIES IN PRIVATE.