Watchdog criticises Sligo home care levels

THE RESIDENTS of a large HSE-run nursing home in Co Sligo had insufficient access to healthcare and GP cover, an inspector’s report has found.

St John’s Hospital in Sligo town also had insufficient numbers of toilets and bathing facilities for its 142 residents, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority report, published yesterday.

It noted there were few opportunities for recreation for residents, especially those with a cognitive impairment.

“A lack of constructive, meaningful activities resulted in residents sitting around for long periods without any form of stimulation,” it said.

The authority first inspected the facility in January 2010 and carried out a further inspection in May last year following two complaints.

That follow-up inspection found deficits relating to wound care management and access to appropriate healthcare services.

A third visit found new issues with staff training. A fourth inspection in April this year, which was the subject of the authority’s latest report, found the health of residents was not as good as it should be.

There was insufficient healthcare and GP cover, medical and medication reviews were not undertaken at the required three-monthly interval, access to dieticians was limited to four hours each week and was inadequate given the number of residents with assessed needs for nutritional information, the report said.

The authority also found staffing levels and the role of care staff required “immediate review” to meet the dependency needs of residents and to ensure appropriate levels of supervision and care.

It also recommended mandatory training for the safe moving and handling of residents.

The authority also said the provider should consider how the specialist care needs of residents with dementia and mental health problems are met to ensure they achieve their maximum potential or capacity.

Care planning, nutrition, wound management, end of life care and medication administration required review to “ensure best practice is adhered to”.

The report did acknowledge, however, that residents were “mainly positive” about the hospital, with many saying they were safe living there. Relatives who completed questionnaires also said they were content with the level of care and were particularly appreciative of the efforts of staff.

The hospital has tried to conduct a review to ensure best outcomes are achieved for each individual resident within the hospital.