'Cold' undressed resident left sitting in wheelchair in Laois nursing home - HIQA finds failings

A privately run Laois nursing home has again failed in eight out of nine HIQA regulations, in a latest surprise inspection with distressing reports from patients. 

Last August, following the inspection of Droimnín nursing home in Stradbally, HIQA applied to remove the registration of the nursing home.

The case was adjourned until February 2026, with strict conditions placed. 

The unannounced inspection by three HIQA staff had taken place on August 8 and has just been made public.

Part of the reason for the inspection was to review unsolicited information received by the Chief Inspector, pertaining to "serious concerns regarding the care and safety of residents". HIQA say that that information was proven to be substantiated on its visit.

It found failings in eight areas. They are: training and staff development, records, governance and management, food and nutrition, individual assessment and care plan, healthcare, protection and residents' rights. One area passed inspection, with staffing found to be compliant on the day.

The inspectors say one resident told them they were cold, as they sat, in a state of undress, in a wheelchair unattended. HIQA say residents can be left sitting sleeping in chairs all night, among other failings.

There were 64 residents present, under the maximum capacity of 70.

The residents heard from some residents who "spoke positively about staff" but had problems to report.

"At times, residents felt they were not listened to, or had to provide direction on how tasks should be carried out. One resident described having to wait for assistance with personal care for up to an hour, as staff were busy assisting other residents.

"One resident was observed sitting in a wheelchair in the seating area in the foyer in a state of undress. This resident informed the inspector that they were cold. Several staff members walked passed the residents without taking action to protect their privacy or attend to their comfort needs."

They found that not all kitchen staff knew a resident was diabetic. They said a dining room had "inappropriate excessively loud" music impacting residents trying to eat.

While organised activities were taking place like bowling and nailcare, some residents were spending long periods of time alone in their rooms with no social interaction, while "residents with complex care needs were not provided with activities that supported meaningful social interaction."

There was no accurate staff roster on the day of the inspection.

A promise of night time audits has not been fulfilled. Last June residents were found to have been left sleeping in their chairs overnight as staff had failed to attend to them. HIQA say this continued in July and August.

They found that residents with wounds were not being repositioned often enough, with a lack of staff training.

They also found that a resident who fell twice and had had a plan drawn up, fell a third time after that plan was not implemented.

Last July, the HIQA Chief Inspector had halted admissions at Droimnín, repeating a similar action done in 2024, until "significant improvements" were made by the nursing home. At that time it also failed in eight areas.

The provider had undertaken to make improvements, taking on more senior staff. However HIQA reports there is still "a failure to monitor critical elements of service provision, particularly the delivery of safe and quality care to the residents".

HIQA also found "a failure to appropriately investigate incidents of allegation of abuse and safeguarding concerns".

Droimnín has listed the many actions it will take or has already taken to become compliant, such as staff training.

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However HIQA says  "The compliance plan response from the registered provider does not adequately assure the Chief Inspector that the action will result in compliance with the regulations".

They gave deadlines for compliance, all of which expired by mid October.