Concerns relating to fire safety at north Leitrim nursing home have been raised

Concerns relating to fire safety have been raised by the health watchdog HIQA regarding St Phelim's Nursing Home in Dromahair, Leitrim.

An inspection of the nursing home, which houses 65 residents, found that while "residents appeared to be relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff. All interactions observed were respectful towards residents", "the provider was found to be non-compliant in some areas of fire safety". 

The report stated: "At the time of inspection, the registered provider had carried out fire safety works and had completed all commitments from the previous inspection. Notwithstanding this, the provider was found to be non-compliant in some areas of fire safety and improvements were required to comply with of the requirements of some regulations. Deficiencies were identified across areas of fire precautions, means of escape, building fabric, and storage arrangements, which cumulatively posed a risk to the safety of residents and staff in the event of a fire."

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It went on to say: "Day-to-day arrangements in place in the centre did not provide adequate precautions against the risk of fire and some fire risks identified required immediate action by the provider."

The report said that while "walking around the centre, the inspector observed the provider had carried out fire safety works in the form of; new fire doors fitted in certain areas, repairs had been carried out to some doors. However, a number of deficiencies to several fire doors were noted in regards to missing door closers, gaps under doors, alignment and sections of missing smoke seals that would impact on a fire door to perform as intended."

The report also stated that, in other areas of the centre, storage arrangements were noted to be impacting on fire precautions. Flammable and combustible items were found stored in a boiler room. On the upper floor staff areas, poor housekeeping was noted in meeting rooms and offices. Large quantities of Christmas decorations, files, and cardboard boxes were found in these areas.

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The reported also noted that, in regards to premises concerns, the provider had made significant progress to date and had refurbished bedrooms to a high standard, where occupancy levels had reduced.

Following the inspection the registered provider employed a competent fire person to carry out a full fire risk assessment on the building to ensure that the service provided was safe, appropriate, consistent and effectively monitored and all identified deficiencies have been addressed or are scheduled for completion.