Breaches sorted at Cloonamahon
THE quality of life for residents of the HSE- run Glenbow Intellectual Disability Service at Cloonamahon is getting better.
The HSE says they’re getting greater choice in day activities, food choices, access to the community and more privacy. It’s in response to a HIQA report released in the last ten days which was highly critical of the facility.
It made an unannounced visit to Cloonamahon last March, and reported that several improvements promised in 2015 had still not been made.
It also highlighted that residents were satisfied with the service and staff engaged with residents in a caring manner.
The centre consists of six individual residences, four within a three- storey building and two separate bungalows. Inspectors found the three- storey building did not promote a homely environment.
Some bedroom doors had windows while there was no screening in some twin bedrooms.
There were found to be inadequate procedures in place for the control of infection, with commodes stored in twin rooms in some instances.
Inspectors also found that not all staff on duty had fire safety training.
Some staff were not trained in the protection of vulnerable adults and inspectors were not assured that in the event of an allegation of abuse that appropriate action would be taken.
The HSE reaction to an allegation and suspicion of abuse in December 2015 was inadequate and outside of procedure, HIQA said.
Residents were not weighed frequently enough and some residents had to wait for 30 minutes for their food due to staff breaks.
The centre was not led by robust governance. There was an absence of appropriate monitoring, review and auditing of the care and support provided to residents.
The HSE said since the inspection a range of improvements are ongoing or have been completed. Staff training on fire safety and evacuation has taken place and privacy concerns have been addressed. A new manager has been appointed also.