Residents at Longford nursing home tell of having "the same thing every day" for breakfast as inspectors uncover "significant" fire safety risks
Residents from a privately run Longford nursing home have told of how they “have the same thing every day” for breakfast with “significant risks” being found in connection to fire safety, an inspectors' report has found.
HIQA officials carried out an unnanounced inspection at Our Lady’s Manor Nursing Home in Edgeworthstown on May 23 when residents spoke of “always having porridge and brown bread”.
Some residents told inspectors food at the three floor facililty was “not always hot” with others telling inspectors they were unaware what they were having for lunch that day.
One resident told inspectors that they had waited overnight for a glass for their drinking water with HIQA representatives observing that the glass supplied was dirty.
The findings were contained in a HIQA report published this week which also found shortcomings in fire preventative measures.
The door to the facility's tea room was not designated as being a fire door despite “several high risk electrical items” such as a kettle and an iron which were in regular use.
In a further revelation, inspectors found daily fire checks including a check that fire exits were not blocked and that all emergency lighting was working had not been completed on the day of the inspection until it was brought to the attention of senior staff.
The premises itself was also found to be in need of repair with walls in some areas of the centre being “chipped and unsightly”.
A hole and two damp pitches were found on the ceiling of one resident's bedroom causing water to leak into the room in wet weather.
A standing aid hoist was likewise found to be broken and had not been in use on the date of the inspection on May 23, more than three months after it was first reported broken at the beginning of February.
Inspectors noted the centre was well managed for the benefit of the residents who lived there.
“There was an open and supportive culture which promoted person-centred care and residents were supported to lead their best lives,” the report found.
In a follow up compliance plan, the registered providers, Newbridge Nursing Home detailed an eight point plan and stated how an “ongoing system of repair and maintenance” was underway.
Similarly, the home said issues surrounding food and nutrition had been addressed while an independent review of fire safety had been carried out which verified that the safety improvement works now met the health watchdog's required standards.