Portlaoise nursing home owners Emeis say incidents not "representative of the professionalism"

Substandard elderly care revealed by RTÉ Investigates at nursing homes in Portlaoise and Dublin do not represent the 'professionalism' of staff on an 'everyday' basis in its facilities around Ireland.

That's according to a new statement from Emeis Ireland which owns The Residence nursing home in Portlaoise where it admits that it accepted new patients into the home despite being ordered not to do so by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). 

The French-owned healthcare business says it "notes" the request by the Minister for Older People for HIQA to conduct a national review of its nursing home facilities and is co-operating fully with all regulatory and statutory bodies. Emeis also owns the Kilminchy Lodge home in Portlaoise.

They also confirmed that both HIQA and the HSE have visited Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise and are engaging with these agencies.

The company admitted that it had not complied with a condition not to accept new patients after April 22 this year. HIQA imposed the sanction after several failings were uncovered at the Portlaosie home by HIQA and highlighted to the operators over many months. Emeis Ireland was given notice that the sanction was in the pipeline in February.

"We also wish to clarify that HIQA had, following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise, issued notification of a decision for The Residence Portlaoise to cease admissions 14 days from receipt of the notice. Due to an administrative error on our part regarding the date to cease admissions, admissions continued for 8 days until 30 April 2025 in The Residence Portlaoise," it said.

The statement issued by a public relations company elaborates on what was revealed and its response. 

"The footage which aired on the RTE Investigates programme was both shocking and unacceptable and unquestionably equated to poor and abusive practice. Emeis Ireland has taken appropriate safeguarding actions in relation to residents and specific actions in relation to staff and a full organisational review is underway.

"These incidents were not representative of the professionalism and commitment of our employees in Ireland, nor of the everyday life in our facilities.

"A series of measures were taken as soon as we were alerted to the situation. On-site audits are being carried out to determine the causes and immediate actions were taken to address these poor practices as quickly as possible; the timely supplies of materials have been addressed; an open channel has been established and maintained with the relevant regulatory authorities," it said.

The Emeis Ireland also says it has also initiated a detailed corrective action plan working to six objectives:

• Ensuring the immediate safety of all residents
• Strengthening safeguarding systems
• Improving staff training and competence
• Addressing a culture of fear or poor reporting
• Improving communication with families
• Strengthening governance and oversight
• Emeis Ireland is also conducting its own review of operations throughout its 25 facilities.

The company repeated its regret at what has happened.

"We reiterate our deep regret and disappointment in respect of the matters uncovered by the programme. Emeis Ireland once again extends a genuine and open apology to all residents of Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise, and to their families for the pain and distress imposed on them, due to clearly identified failures in care. We also extend an apology to the residents and families in our wider facilities and our dedicated staff members working in good faith throughout the group, who have been let down by these events," it said.

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Emeis Ireland have also revealed what they say is a corrective plan for Beneavin Manor in Dublin and The Residence Portlaoise. They say it is grouped under five headings and 14 initial actions.

Under the first heading ‘Resident Safety and Wellbeing’ they commit to:

• a full care review for all residents
• enhanced clinical supervision of residents
• and increasing staffing levels

The second heading is ‘Safeguarding and Protection’ and this proposes:

• Full review of the delivery of our safeguarding training
• Appointment and training of safeguarding champions
• A review of safeguarding reporting processes

Under ‘Workforce Competence and Culture’ the pledge to:

• Conduct leadership training for managers
• Conduct an anonymous staff culture survey
• Review our HR and Recruitment processes

The fourth area of focus is “Family Communication & Involvement” under which they aim to:

• Conduct regular family meetings every 2 weeks or as required on an individual basis
• Issue regular written updates to families

And finally, under ‘Governance and Oversight’ they commit to:

• Appointing an independent clinical auditor
• Sharing regular progress updates with HIQA
• Providing weekly and monthly progress reporting to the senior management

Emeis Ireland is owned by French firm Emeis, which rebranded from Orpea after it was engulfed in turmoil after a book called the Gravediggers outlined shortcomings in its facilities in France.

Emeis Ireland is the biggest nursing home operator in Ireland where it has expanded rapidly in recent years. The Portlaoise facility has the capacity for 101 residents.