HIQA inspections carried out at local care homes

HIQA inspections have been published for a number of local nursing homes recently, reporting on inspections carried out during the summer. The local centres visited were Amberley in Fermoy, Brookfield Care Centre in Leamlara and Ballincurrig Care Centre. AMBERLEY

An inspection was carried out in Amberley Home and Retirement Cottages in Fermoy in June this year, when there were 71 residents staying at the facility. Inspectors found no major issue with the centre, and “All residents were observed by the inspector to be content and happy on the day of inspection.”

The landscaping of the centre was described as ‘ beautiful’, with the centre itself having a calm but lively atmosphere. The arrangements at mealtimes, and the quality and presentation of the food provided, was all positive with the bacon and cabbage on the day ‘cooked to perfection’, according to one male resident.

Inspectors judged the centre to be well-managed with no issues highlighted, and noted that ‘ employee of the month’ awards incentivised staff.

Some minor issues were found with residents’ details, with some gaps in details such as the address, next of kin, or cause of death. The centre advised that this had been dealt with the next day.

However, some improvements were required in infection control, medicines, care planning and fire safety. Many of these issues were addressed shortly thereafter, such as gaps in the seal of fire doors. Fire-resistant electrical cupboards with combustible materials within were seen to be left open; the centre said this would be monitored, and a small number of medical products were found in an unlocked cupboard, the cupboards would now be locked, the centre said in its response.

BROOKFIELD

At Brookfield Care Centre in Leamlara, there were 58 residents in-situ when an inspection was carried out over two days in early July this year. In general, residents and visitors gave positive feedback on the quality of care they received.

The maintenanceand appearance of the centre was commended, including the sunroom and courtyard. Keen gardeners were also accommodated at Brookfield, while others looked after the bird feeders. The report noted that the paint in some rooms was chipped and needed attention, however the centre has an ongoing maintenance programme and said this would be addressed as part of that.

The report commented on the ‘many examples of kind and person-centred interventions’ they witnessed from staff, while the arrangements for mealtimes and snacks were agreed to be suitable and commendable, with anyone who enjoyed wine or stout with their meal being offered it.

Among the activities enjoyed in Brookfield were a recent ‘Bake-Off’ competition, the opportunity to book afternoon tea with visitors in the sunroom, and outings to the local garden centre and the Crawford Art Gallery in the city.

Staff lacked training in some areas, including in fire precautions, but the centre said these would be addressed by mid-August. In terms of fire safety, the centre had not completed a simulated night-time evacuation, but did so later that month.

BALLINCURRIG CARE CENTRE

An inspection was also carried out in Ballincurrig Care Centre in June this year, taking place over two full days by two different inspectors, with 48 residents ‘at home’ on those days.

Activities at the centre were found to be varied, and included a lively Zumba class. The centre also had a new cat join them, ‘Bella’, while the outside area was described pleasantly, with raised flower and planted beds and outdoor seating and parasols.

Many of the critiques of the centre were around the area of fire risk and management. The report commented that a ‘large number of doors had excessive gaps at the bottom of the door’; following the visit, management reported that a full fire door inspection would take place. Oxygen tanks were not stored correctly, a repeated lapse, while the emergency gas shut off, and the emergency shut off for the laundry room, were obstructed - in the case of the first, being difficult to access. These were all assessed and taken care of after the inspection.

Following the inspectors’ visit, the centre employed electrical contractors to address emergency lighting requirements throughout the centre, as inspectors identified gaps. The layout of the dining room was also considered problematic; this was rearranged following the inspection, and more extinguishers ordered for the kitchen, plant and electrical rooms.

Gaps in staff training were identified and completed shortly after the inspection. While there was a rolling maintenance plan in operation, inspectors noted a number of things that needed to be seen to, such as a missing toilet seat, worn flooring, and also that there were potential trip hazards to people using mobility aids. Management reported that all the items highlighted had been added to their ‘facilities improvement plan’ which was being worked through.