Limerick nursing home residents report feeling cold and having no hot water

NURSING home residents in a facility inspected by HIQA reported feeling cold and having no hot water in their bedrooms.

Roseville House Nursing Home in Killonan, Ballysimon, had 44 residents on the day of the inspection. 

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“Commodes and shower chairs were noted to be rusted, and in one shower room the seat of a shower chair had screws dislodged and was falling away from the legs,” the report stated. 

Residents told the inspector that issues with heating and hot water were impacting their comfort. 

“One resident described feeling cold, and to demonstrate this, held the inspector's hand. 

“They explained that the heating had not been on overnight or in the early morning despite reporting this to staff,” the report outlined. 

“Other residents reported that there was no hot water available from the taps in their bedroom sinks and that staff had to leave their room to bring a basin of hot water from elsewhere in the centre.  

“Hot water was also unavailable at the clinical hand wash basins and in the kitchen. The inspector was informed that the lack of hot water had been an ongoing issue and that the provider had attempted to resolve the issue by re-plumbing the system.”      

The nursing home was found to be not compliant in three out of 11 regulations,  substantially compliant in  two regulations and  compliant in the other areas. 

Residents did tell the inspector that they feel safe and this was credited to the staff treating them in a “respectful and dignified manner.” 

Residents were happy with  the overall quality of food provided, the friendliness of staff, and the variety and quality of activities and social engagement.