Hiqa Reports Reveal Staffing Issues, Neglect at Emeis Ireland Nursing Homes
Hiqa reports revealed poor staffing at Emeis Ireland nursing homes, including The Residence Carton, where residents shouted for help. Medication errors and inadequate care were also found. These inspections followed an RTÉ exposé on elder abuse, prompting Hiqa to demand urgent action and pause admissions.
A Hiqa inspection found poor staffing at The Residence Carton in Raheny, Dublin, led to residents shouting for help for prolonged periods. Call-bells also rang unanswered on the first floor, and some residents spent much of their day in their rooms without activities.
Medication was not administered as prescribed, posing a risk to residents. Subsequent inspections showed significant improvements. Separately, Firstcare Blainroe Lodge in Wicklow had inadequate staffing for high-dependency residents, leading to compromised care and some residents getting up only on alternate days. The Residence in Santry, north Dublin, also had significant fire-safety concerns.
These findings are part of 54 inspection reports published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) on 23 nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland. This follows an RTÉ Investigates programme last year that highlighted allegations of elder abuse and neglect at two Emeis centers, prompting Hiqa to initiate targeted inspections and pause admissions to Emeis Ireland-owned centers. While some centers provided good care, seven faced significant challenges. Hiqa also made referrals to An Garda Síochána. Emeis Ireland stated it has implemented significant improvements across its nursing homes.