Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CARE HOME SHUT OVER ‘SERIOUS RISK TO LIFE’
Bid to find beds for 40 residents
HEALTH chiefs are trying to find beds for around 40 residents of a care home shut down by inspectors.
Ashbrooke in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was ordered to close last Friday amid serious concerns over the risk to life to those living there.
It is the first time Northern Ireland’s watchdog the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority has taken such immediate action.
A spokesman for the inspectorate said it expected the Western Health and Social Care Trust to find new placements, beds, homes and care packages for the residents as a priority.
The agency carried out an unannounced inspection of the home on the Old Tempo Road last Wednesday and RUGBY hero Tommy Bowe proved he’s a big softie at heart by sharing a snap of his daughter’s first match.
The Ulster winger, 33, and former Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse welcomed little Emma into the world last April. And the raised serious concerns about the care of residents, including personal care issues and weight loss management.
Bad smells were also noted by the watchdog along with defective equipment, fire risks and concerns about staffing and a lack of clarity over management of the home.
Ashbrooke is operated by Runwood Homes, based in Essex.
It operates 67 residential care facilities across England and Northern Ireland. It was told on Friday the home’s registration was being cancelled.
RQIA chief Olive Macleod said the inspection had been arranged after safe- Ireland international is making sure his baby shares his love of rugby.
Tommy posted the cute family photo from the sidelines of the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, to Instagram with the note: “Emma’s first game.” guarding concerns were received. She added: “RQIA considered that there was a serious risk to the life, health and wellbeing of all those living at Ashbrooke Care Home and that assurances from the provider were not sufficient to address the risks identified.”
“RQIA believes everyone living in a nursing or residential care home is entitled to the highest standard of care.”
Runwood Homes claimed it did not get prior notification of the closure.
It said an inspection in May found safe delivery of care. The company added: “There has not, therefore, been any opportunity for Runwood staff to engage with RQIA to address any concerns that they had.
“Ensuring that residents of Ashbrooke Care Home receive high-quality nursing and residential care is of upmost importance to us.” Thirty-nine of the 40 residents are clients of the Western Trust. A spokeswoman for the body said: “As an interim measure, the trust will work alongside the management of the home to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents which remains the trust’s priority.”