Judge delays decision on HIQA move to shut Laois nursing home

A Judge said he would like to see HIQA reach an agreement with Droimnín Nursing Home which is facing the potential loss of its registration.  

“There are over forty people who regard this as their home,” Judge Andrew Cody noted during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Friday. 

Last Monday lawyers for HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) lodged an application seeking to remove the Stradbally home from the Nursing Homes Register which could prevent it operating. The application was brought on foot of a HIQA Inspection on September 7 and 8. 

Alison Fynes BL said the application by the Chief Inspector of Social Services in HIQA wasn’t taken lightly. “We are of the view that the threshold has been met to move the application, being the risk to life,” said Ms Fynes. 

Judge Cody said he had read the affidavit in response to HIQA’s application. He asked about the admittance of residents to the nursing home.   

Ronan Kennedy SC for Droimnín Nursing Home said his client was prepared to give an undertaking to the court that no new residents would be admitted to the home. 

Judge Cody then asked about mediation between HIQA and the nursing home and he noted conditions had been imposed by HIQA in August but there didn’t appear to have been agreed. 

Mr Kennedy said his client had written to HIQA and was committed to engaging constructively with HIQA. 

Ms Fynes said HIQA intended to respond to Droimnín’s affidavit and she said a clinical meeting was also due to take place. 

Judge Cody said in those circumstances he would set a date for mention at Portlaoise District Court on October 17. 

“I hope you are going to come back and tell me there is some agreement,” said Judge Cody. 

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Ms Fynes requested liberty to mention within 24 hours if an “urgent matter” arose. Judge Cody agreed and granted liberty to mention within 24 hours.