Offaly nursing home directed to stop new admissions until compliance in key areas is achieved

Following consistently poor regulatory compliance over repeated inspections at Esker Ri Nursing Home in Clara, the Chief Inspector of Social Services issued a notice of a proposed decision to stop new admissions to the centre.

This decision remains in place until the Chief Inspector is satisfied that the provider has in place an effective governance and management structure and achieves compliance with key regulations that underpin the quality and safety of care provided to residents.

The Chief Inspector had issued the decision after receiving unsolicited information pertaining to concerns regarding resident referral and access to medical professionals, and the high incidence of residents being transferred to the acute health care services. 

This information was substantiated by HIQA ( Health Information and Quality Authority) following an inspection of the nursing home, which took place over two days in May this year.

Blackden Limited is the registered provider of Esker Ri Nursing Home. 

Inspectors found the nursing home located in Kilnabin, Clara to be non-compliant in seven areas including Capacity and Capability- ''The registered provider had failed to put effective management structures and systems in place to ensure that the service provided was safe and appropriately monitored.''

Persons in Charge- ''There was no person in charge of the centre who met the criteria to be the person in charge. ''

Training and staff development - ''Staff supervision arrangements were not appropriate to protect and promote the care and welfare of residents.''

Records - ''Records of incidents and the investigation of the incidents in which residents may have suffered potential abuse or harm were not documented in line with the centre's own policy.''

Governance and management - ''There was no person in charge that met the regulatory criteria, to provide effective leadership and governance in the designated centre.

Written policies and procedures – ''The registered provider had failed to implement policies and procedures designed to support the care provided to residents, and protect residents.''

Temporary absence or discharge of residents -''The provider did not ensure that all relevant information about a resident was provided to the receiving hospital.''

Individual assessment and care plan - ''Two residents assessed as being at high risk of falls were not identified as such within their care plan.''

Health care - ''The registered provider failed to provide appropriate medical and health care including a high standard of evidence-based nursing care in accordance with professional guidance.''

Inspectors found that the proposed organisational structure had not been fully established, and the actions taken to comply with the regulations were not sufficient to meet the requirements of the regulations. These persistent failings had a significant impact on the safety and quality of life for residents.

However, residents living in Esker Ri Nursing Home told the inspectors that they felt safe and comfortable living in the centre. They complimented the staff who they described as courteous, helpful and kind.

Residents told inspectors that there were improvements in the quality of the service in recent months particularly with regard to the staffing. They described how they were familiar with the staff that provided them with care and assistance and this made them feel safe and comfortable in their home.

But the inspectors found that ''the unclear organisational structure, and ineffective management systems of monitoring and oversight, continued to impact on the quality and safety of the care provided to residents.