Residents of ‘Institutional’ centre in Killarney to be relocated by end of year

THE 12 residents of Cluain Fhionnain Centre in Ballydribbeen in Killarney will be relocated to community houses by the end of this year according to the HSE.

The commitment from Cork Kerry Community Healthcare comes as a HIQA report criticised the centre stating that it is “institutional in nature” and does not meet the needs of the residents.

A report by the HSE, who operate the centre, last year said that the centre was “bleak”, “dated” and “in poor state of repair” and the HIQA report published last week said that this is a correct assessment of the centre.

However, while the centre is to be closed, in the interim efforts will be made to make the place more homely for residents, including painting some of the bedrooms. Efforts had also been made by the HSE to allow residents to move freely within the centre, which they had not previously done, the HIQA report noted.

The HIQA inspection was carried out last December 19 and was published last week. The report also found that residents’ safety was being compromised as safety risks were not identified and managed properly.

The report said that “significant improvements” were required in relation to risk management, incident review and oversight of risk.

HIQA found that incidents were being logged but not analysed to prevent more accidents. The report also found that a large number of adverse incidents occurred when staffing was reduced.

HIQA also found that the HSE’s response to incidents where residents were the subject of actual or potential abuse was not adequate and did not sufficiently protect residents. They specifically noted that two incidents of peer-to-peer abuse in October 2017 were not screened. The HSE had given an undertaking to review any incidents by the end of February.

It was found by HIQA that an incident where a resident was injured at the centre had been follow up correctly.

Residents’ behavioural needs were also not being met according to HIQA and the HSE said they were finding it difficult to recruit someone to that role but that they would endeavour to appoint a person.

HIQA found that there was appropriate governance and management in place at the centre which underwent a change, in 2017, from a medical to a social care model and residents now had more of a social outlet in the centre and in the community.

In response to the HIQA report, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said that actions had been taken.

“We acknowledge and accept that the building and the service at Cluain Fhionnain are no longer fit for purpose. A huge amount of work has been undertaken with residents, families and other stakeholders to move towards its closure. In the interim significant work has been done in this centre to ensure that safe and appropriate care is provided for all residents,” said Head of Social Care with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Gabrielle O’Keeffe.