Fire risks flagged by health service watchdog which wants 'significant action' at Laois nursing home

The health service standards agency HIQA wants significant action taken at Droimnín Nursing Home in Stradbally to ensure a 'safe service' for residents at the Laois care facility.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has published a new inspection report on the home where there was a double digit death toll from Covid-19 in January 2020.

HIQA has previously issued a number of negative reports about the home and the latest also flags significant problems. Published on September 25, 2023, HIQA's new findings follow an unannounced inspection on May 3 and 4 this year.

Two status red-level risks were identified relating to fire.

The inspectors said information received by the office of the Chief Inspector, both solicited and unsolicited, to inform lines of enquiry for the inspection.

Droimnin Nursing Home is a designated centre for older people. The centre has two buildings that are purpose-built. The centre provides accommodation for a maximum of 70 male and female residents, over 18 years of age.

While HIQA found that the overall feedback from residents were that "staff were kind and caring" and that they were "happy" living in the centre, the Inspectors findings highlighted a need for action.

"Significant action is required in the areas of governance and management, assessment and care planning and fire precautions to support the provision of a safe and quality service to residents," it said.

The inspectors observed maintenance issues throughout the centre.

"There were a number of cracks within the structure of the building. There were areas of the premises internally that had cracked plasterboard and there was some damaged flooring," they found.

The report says Inspectors observed some fire safety risks on the walk-through of the premises. One identified was the use of candles during Mass which were not extinguished after Mass in the Oratory.

"Management was requested to risk assess the use of candles and to sure that adequate mitigation measures were in place should they wish to continue to use live candles," said the report.

HIQA asked that adequate arrangements for evacuating, where necessary in the event of fire. HIQA also called for "precautions against the risk of fire, fire fighting equipment, suitable building services, and suitable bedding and furnishings".

The report said inspectors also observed some infection prevention and control issues on the walk-through of the centre.

In relation to Governance, HIQA said the findings of this inspection were that, similar to the two most recent inspections conducted in August 2022 and January 2023, current governance and oversight of the centre was not effective and did not ensure that services were provided in line with the centre's statement of purpose.

"Inspectors found that, while the provider commenced a programme of oversight to monitor the service through an overarching programme of audits, the system was not sufficiently robust to identify or address deficits in quality and safety, as evidenced by the findings of this inspection," said the report.

HIQA say the centre's registration was renewed on 22 December 2022.

It said the provider had applied to register 101 beds, however, the findings of an inspection conducted on 23 August 2022 identified that a second building, also known as Oughaval, was not equipped or fit for occupation. It was also found that the staffing profile available was not commensurate with the required staffing for 101 beds.

Following that inspection, a cautionary meeting was held with the provider in October 2022 advising them that the centre was in an escalation process. Assurances were sought that governance and management arrangements would be put in place reflecting those identified in the centre's Statement of Purpose.

Assurances were also sought from the provider that adequate staffing resources would be put in place to meet the health and social care needs of residents.

HIQA said a decision was made to partially grant the application to renew the registration, allowing a maximum of 70 residents to be accommodated in the centre.