'Shopping list' of extra charges at private Portlaoise nursing home

Families of elderly people living in a controversial private nursing home in Laois are being charged for dressings and incontinence pads, as if they are extras.

A long list of extra bills is being footed by the residents and their families at the Residence Portlaoise, on top of the average €1,200 a week rent bill to stay in the modern facility in the town centre. 

The nursing home featured on RTÉ Investigates this month, showing distressing scenes of elderly people left uncared for.

Read: 'Abuse and neglect' at Residence Portlaoise revealed by former employee

"Additional services"  charged monthly, include: medication and dressings, chiropody €35, physiotherapy €60, hairdressing €18 for women, €12 for men, even clothes labels at €20 for 120 labels.

Incontinence wear for people without a medical card is up to €90 per month.  A wandering tag €170, or €25 a week to rent. A hip protector is €60. Wheelchair repair is charged at €95 plus parts. 

If residents have to go to the hospital, they have to pay for transport and pay staff up to €45 per hour.

Pressure relieving mattresses to prevent bed sores are also charged. Repairs cost €25 per 15 minutes plus parts. Families are charged €15 a week if they want to rent a sensor that alerts if a patient falls out of a bed or a chair.

€40 a week is charged on top of the Fair Deal scheme, if patients want access to the social programme, toiletries, television channels, weekly hairdressing, wifi in their room, a direct dial telephone and a daily newspaper.

The Residence Portlaoise entrance. 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley listed out the extra charges, at the June meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

She tabled a motion calling on the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the HSE to meet Laois councillors immediately to address the "huge concerns around the appalling treatment of residents in the nursing homes in Portlaoise.

"It's a shopping list, a price for everything. That tell me a lot.  A private taxi to Tullamore hospital cost a family €140. If a staff member goes with the resident, its €20 an hour and I am sure you know how long it takes to be seen. If a nurse goes its €45 an hour," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

She and other district councillors have strongly condemned the failings highlighted by RTÉ Investigates.

"I had received complaints about two nursing homes in Portlaoise before this aired. It was heartbreaking to watch, terrifying for residents and their families to see the way people are treated.

"I've no confidence left in HIQA. They have let people down. I ask why HIQA let this go on for two years, they need to be held accountable," she said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion.

"It was so distressing, harrowing to see what's happening in our own town to our own people. It seems to me the HSE didn't want to know that there were major problems. It would have been a problem for them to sort other accommodation. It was absolutely horrific. People are terrified," she said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy said she experienced "a feeling of revulsion".

"You couldn't not be disgusted at the low ratio of staff, the lack of kindness. I think it's time carers at home were treated with respect and paid appropriately. Imagine the money saved by the state. My niece cared for her mam and dad with two hospital beds in the sitting room," she said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan said "HIQA is culpable", as well as the nursing home management.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly recalled that the HSE tried to close Abbeyleix and Shaen, saved by public demonstrations a decade ago.

"It's fantastic now in Abbeyleix, with 22 stepdown and respite beds," he noted.

"People pay good money but it's anything but a Fair Deal scheme. There needs to be a complete review," agrees Cllr Barry Walsh.

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The Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Buggy said that he and his wife have "no kids to mind us".

"I don't know what we are going to do, please God things are sorted before then. It does remind you of the care of Shaen, Abbeyleix and Mountmellick HSE homes. Thankfully Mountmellick is expanding, I'd like to see others expand," he said.

Laois County Council has asked HIQA and the HSE to meet Portlaoise Municipal District.