Nursing home staff suspended after RTÉ nursing home exposé

Some staff have reportedly been suspended following the RTÉ Investigates documentary at nursing homes in Portlaoise and Dublin.

It has also emerged that staff working at all nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland have been put on alert for inspections in the wake of the RTÉ programme that uncovered extensive failings in the care of the elderly.

Ahead of an interim report by the regulator HIQA on The Residence and a Dublin nursing home, it has emerged that staff at other Emeis homes, such as the Kilminchy Lodge in Portlaoise, have been advised on their actions concerning likely imminent inspections. This is happening as a result of Government-ordered review of all Emeis homes.

RTÉ Investigates reporter Aoife Hegarty reported on Prime Time that staff have been suspended from duty arising from the issues highlighted in the programme on Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin. 

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA is to deliver a report to the Government by Friday, June 14 on the situation in The Residence and Glasnevin home. The Health and Safety Authority is also involved in inspections.

HIQA has also been asked to carry out a review of all Emeis nursing homes in Ireland. It emerged on Prime Time that staff at a Mayo facility have been told that rotas need to change to comply with guidelines for rest periods.

Staff have been advised not to have their phones in their pockets or wear uniforms entering or leaving the home "because inspectors could be watching".

Night staff in particular are advised that there should be no sleeping on duty because managment do not want HIQA inspectors "seeing staff asleep".

The note concludes with a message that when it is all over, "staff can relax". 

Emeis Ireland told RTÉ that it had reiterated to staff the standards expected. 

It has also emerged that representatives of families in private nursing homes have met with the Minister for Older People Kieran O'Donnell, asking for an extensive review of regulation. They also want a specific unit in HIQA to be set up so that protected disclosures can be responded to faster.

The HSE told the Leinster Express that it has engaged with the nursing homes following the extremely concerning airing of the Primetime Investigates Programme which identified poor practice and safeguarding concerns.

READ ALSO: Abuse and neglect former employee of The Residence speaks out

It said the immediate actions were:

• Community Support Teams (CST) have carried out immediate welfare checks on residents in the two identified private nursing homes.
• Families who have any concerns can engage with this CST team, including the local HSE Safeguarding and Protection Team, who will address any concerns or complaints and appropriately signpost to health services professionals.

The HSE said people can continue to phone HSE Live to speak to one of its agents on: Freephone: 1800 700 700 or 00 353 1 240 8787 (from outside Ireland) or contact National Safeguarding Office please e-mail safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie or phone 061 46 1165 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday).