The owner of a Longford nursing home allegedly made comments about a nurse’s appearance and suggested she “open a few buttons” on her blouse on a
summer’s day, it was claimed at an inquiry into the fitness to practise of the nurse yesterday.
The claim was put to Seán Kelly, owner of Thomond Lodge nursing home, when he gave evidence at the Nursing and Midwifery Board inquiry into Mary Elizabeth Mealy, who was employed as director of nursing at the home before her contract was terminated.
Ms Mealy is alleged to have failed to administer medicines to some patients. Initially, allegations included that she had worked while intoxicated but that accusation was withdrawn last Friday, on the second day of the hearing.
The inquiry yesterday heard Mr Kelly was a plasterer who worked in the US in the 1980s before returning to Ireland. Thomond Lodge nursing home was opened in 2007 and Mr Kelly was involved in day-to day maintenance of the home.
Property developer
Mr Kelly had no medical or nursing qualifications and was a property developer by profession, the inquiry was told.
Ciarán Craven, for Ms Mealy, said Mr Kelly, who terminated Ms Mealy’s employment and complained about her to the nursing board, was prone to making comments about her appearance which made her uncomfortable.
The inquiry heard that on a hot day in July 2012, Ms Mealy asked Mr Kelly to provide parasols for the residents. It is alleged that he said to her: “You’re getting a bit hot and flustered there. Why don’t you open a few buttons on your blouse?” Mr Kelly denied saying this.
It was put to Mr Kelly that Ms Mealy had difficulty recruiting staff because he would pay €17.50 an hour while the “going rate” was €20-€22 and that when the posts were advertised in the local paper, he told her: “I don’t want any inbreds from Longford.”
Mr Kelly denied this and said several people from Longford work in the home.
In January 2012, Ms Mealy suggested to Mr Kelly a new drug cardex system for the nursing home to bring it up to Hiqa requirements. It is alleged that he told her: “I’m not going to spend any money on them.”
The inquiry is adjourned until December 16th.