Suspended: nine nursing staff at centre for disabled
Probe at Kilkenny facility
NINE nursing staff have been placed on paid leave at a centre for the intellectually disabled following an internal audit of a unit previously found to have rodent traps in the dining room.
Investigations led by the HSE Head of Operations Disabilities are ongoing at St Patrick’s Centre in Kilkenny. A recent report by health watchdog Hiqa on the campus noted a worrying lack of oversight by management on the campus.
The large campus contains many units, including one which is run by the HSE.
However, the unit at the heart of the audit is run directly by the Sisters of Charity. It is funded by the State under Section 39 rules.
‘Issues identified will be fully investigated’
This latest intervention follows a series of critical Hiqa reports on various units in the centre, and a district court order to de-register one unit which resulted in the HSE taking that section under their care.
The Irish Mail on Sunday understands the nurses were suspended on full pay on Thursday. St Patrick’s Centre said in a statement that concerns for the resident safety in a unit called St Michael’s were raised following an internal auditing process.
St Patrick’s management said: ‘Issues identified will be fully investigated. In this context, a number of staff have been placed on paid leave. Provision of services to residents continues and St Patrick’s is committed to ensure minimal disruption.’
Management was not available for further comment yesterday.
St Michael’s was previously the subject of a critical Hiqa report in May 2015 when ‘rodent traps’ were found in the dining room and broken bins outside. Inspectors raised concerns around low staffing numbers and inadequate safety measures.
Finian McGrath, junior minister for disabilities, visited the centre three weeks ago at the invitation of TD Bobby Aylward. The minister said: ‘I am not going to tolerate any abuse if that is the situation. I will be seeking full disclosure of all the facts before I comment any further.’
The Minister has previously committed to funding any improvements recommended by Hiqa.
An HSE spokeswoman said yesterday: ‘St Patrick’s Centre is a Section 39 agency. The HSE was appointed as the registered provider for Our Lady’s Unit at St Patrick’s Centre. Mount Oliver’s and St Michael’s are the other residential units.’
Figures released by Health Minister Simon Harris this summer show the campus received €13,171,000 in funding last year. This is down from €11,198,000 in 2011.
Reports indicate there were 92 residents at the units in 2012. Today there are 84 adults and children. Eventually all residents will move into smaller units in the community.
An inspection report from January notes residents were living in unregistered accommodation while fire safety repairs were carried out. The report was sharply critical of the lack of involvement of management and the Board in the running of the centre. Inspectors noted they were ‘significantly concerned with the lack of oversight and governance.’