Activities to rise at home
THE owners of a Sligo nursing home have undertaken to provide activities for residents seven days a week instead of five at present following an inspection by HIQA.
The report following an inspection at Sligo Nursing Home run by Mowlam Healthcare Services Unlimited Company at Ballytivnan stated there were two staff sharing one post co-ordinating activities but they did not work at week-ends.
“The feedback in the residents’ surveys and on the days of inspection specific to activities was neutral. The inspector spent time sitting and observing staff and resident engagement,” said the report.
It continued: “The activity co-ordinations do not work at weekends. The responsibility to provide meaningful activities as per resident wishes rests with the nurse and health care assistants on duty. There was an activities programme displayed for residents.
The inspector was informed that the responsibility for activities at the weekends was the responsibility of all care staff.
The inspector found poor evidence that this role and expectation is fully understood by the healthcare team. Activities and the recording of meaningful activities for all residents is completed by the activities team and so there was no evidence within resident files of what activities if any they had attended at weekends
“The inspector spoke with staff and judged that further development with care staff is required so that they fully understand their role and responsibilities regarding normal socialisation and engagement with residents.”
The inspection was carried out on September 25 th last and has just been published.
The nursing home caters for a maximum of 62 residents in single and twin bedrooms. There are four corridors on two different levels.
The inspector found that the privacy and dignity of the residents on the lower ground level was compromised by the limitations of showering and bath facilities available.
The inspector found that the number of shower and bath facilities available for residents on the lower ground floor were not sufficient. When operating at full capacity there are 23 residents sharing two bathrooms (one with a shower, one with a bath and shower).
The residents in the shared bedrooms on the Benbulben corridor have to travel past the communal sitting and dining room along the corridor to access the nearest shower/bath.
In response, the owners stated that there would be activities scheduled seven days per week and all staff would be involved in social engagement with residents.
“We will keep a record of individual resident’s participation and preferences regarding activities in the resident’s clinical record.”An additional assisted shower room will be located adjacent to the Benbulben wing.
“This will ensure that residents are treated with dignity and respect, including maintaining privacy when transferring residents into shower/ bath facilities.” The report notes that feedback on the day of the inspection was mainly positive about the care received.
Residents told the inspector that they felt they were well cared for by staff who knew their individual needs, likes and dislikes.
The inspector spoke with eight residents. Residents said that they enjoyed a good quality of life and that staff were kind and caring to them.
Residents described how they spent their day and said they were encouraged to be independent, to make choices for themselves and to be as mobile and active as possible.
One resident described how she was supported by the management team in applying to renew her driving licence to ensure that her independence with driving was maintained. Another resident told how she is supported to continue to manage her own medication administration.
Residents told the inspector that their bedrooms were their own space.
The inspector noted that residents’ bedrooms were personalised. Multiple residents had been facilitated to bring in items form home.
For example, paintings, large ornaments and pieces of furniture.
In addition, residents told the inspector that the design and layout of the room had been decided by them.
One resident had an alter of worship to their religion located near their armchair. Residents informed the inspector that their rooms were cleaned daily and that staff were very respectful of their personal belongings.
The report also stated that residents’ healthcare needs were met through timely access to treatment and therapies and the clinical team was actively promoting a restraint-free environment.
Residents’ links with the community were maintained where possible, and this was supported by access to local media, internet and telephone services.
Outings to the beach and a boating trip had taken place since the last inspection.