HIQA answer criticism by Laois councillors after nursing home closure

The Health Information and Quality Authority has emphasised that the closure of a Laois nursing home was not ordered by them.

Ballard Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise closed in mid April. The closure of the family run business after 21 years of operation had forced the 24 residents to find alternative accommodation, along with causing 32 job losses. 

Laois councillors had spoken critically about the negative effect of HIQA health regulations on small nursing homes at the April meeting of Laois County Council. Read those comments below.

HIQA has given a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, saying they are also concerned at the trend of smaller nursing homes closing down.

"The provider of Ballard Lodge Nursing Home notified HIQA’s Chief Inspector of its intention to close last month. This closure was a decision made by the registered provider and was not a requirement of the Chief Inspector.   

"HIQA is aware that there has been a trend of smaller nursing homes, often in rural locations, closing. This loss is something that we have presented in a number of our recent overview reports on nursing homes, and we have continually highlighted the impact that this has on residents and their families.

"Registered providers have cited a number of contributory factors for nursing home closures. In our recently published 15-year overview report on the regulation or nursing homes, we highlighted that 'The closure of smaller nursing homes requires urgent attention in order to avoid further disruption to the lives of residents and to ensure a broad spread of services nationally. This is especially important in light of our ageing population and the projected future demand for services.'

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"The Chief Inspector works with all providers to support them to meet the requirements of the regulations. Where a centre is closing, we continue to engage with the provider to ensure the rights of residents are upheld," a HIQA spokesperson said.

At the April council meeting Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley had said "If it was left to HIQA we wouldn't have an A&E in Portlaoise."

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said "I appreciate there are standards but if we all had to meet those standards we would have nowhere to go."  Read that story here.