Residents were 'kept central to the service provided and care was organised around their preferences and choices'
An inspect of Lough Erril Private Nursing Home in Mohill, Leitrim, carried out in March found the facility to be 'compliant' in all categories, a recent report revealed.
An inspection of Lough Erril Private Nursing Home in Mohill, Leitrim, carried out in March found the facility to be 'compliant' in all categories, a recent report revealed.
The unannounced inspection observed that residents were “kept central to the service provided and care was organised around their preferences and choices” and residents said that “they enjoyed a good quality of life and they felt safe and comfortable living in the centre”.
The report noted that call-bells were available by each resident's bed, in en-suites and in the communal toilets and shower and were “answered promptly and staff were familiar with each residents’ preferred care needs” and that the centre was “exceptionally clean and housekeeping staff were knowledgeable in their roles.”
The report found that the “management team were proactive in responding to issues as they arose and used regular audits to monitor and inform service improvements.”
It stated: “The centre continues to have a good history of compliance with the regulations and all non-compliances found on the last inspection had been addressed.”
It also noted that “the person in charge was supported by the provider representative, a business manager, an assistant director of nursing, a clinical nurse manager and a team of nurses, health care assistants, activity, administration, maintenance, domestic and catering staff. There were clear lines of accountability and staff were knowledgeable regarding their roles and responsibilities. The senior management team was kept informed about the performance of the service with key quality indicators and other relevant safety aspects reviewed on a weekly and monthly basis.”
It was revealed that staff and management meetings were “held regularly, and the minutes of those meetings were available for the inspector to review on the day of the inspection.”
There were adequate numbers of staff with appropriate skills to ensure consistency and continuity of care for residents, the report said and records showed that all staff were facilitated to attend mandatory and professional development training.
A system was in place to ensure new staff attended mandatory and additional training.
Arrangements for recording accidents and incidents involving residents in the centre were in place and were notified to the Chief Inspector.
All staff were facilitated to attend up-to-date mandatory training on fire safety, safeguarding residents from abuse and safe moving and handling procedures.
The report stated: “Overall, residents' rights were supported and protected by kind and caring team of staff who ensured residents had a good quality of life in the centre. Residents' needs were being met through comprehensive care planning, good access to healthcare services and opportunities for social engagement. Staff were observed speaking with residents in a kind and respectful manner and it was clear that staff knew the residents well, and were familiar with their needs and preferences for care and support.”
It said that residents with dementia and those residents who may display responsive behaviour (how people with dementia or other conditions may communicate or express their physical discomfort, or discomfort with their social or physical environment) were being effectively supported by staff.
The report stated that “communal spaces were bright and comfortable and all were well used on this inspection by the residents. This centre had a family room, three spacious sitting rooms, a visitors room and a multi-purpose sensory room for residents to use. This was complemented by two enclosed courtyard gardens that were overlooked by many of the bedrooms and were maintained to a high standard. The residents at the centre had access to a diverse range of media including daily newspapers, telephones, Internet, radio and television for communication and entertainment.”
Each resident had a care plan in place, and the inspector found that residents' care plans were personalised and contained information relating to the residents' life histories and personal preferences for care and support.
Residents had "timely access to their general practitioner (GP), allied health professionals, specialist medical and nursing services including psychiatry of older age, community palliative care and tissue viability specialists as necessary."
The provider had systems in place to safeguard residents from abuse. An up-to-date safeguarding policy was available and informed the arrangements in place to ensure any incidents, allegations or suspicions of abuse were promptly addressed and managed appropriately to ensure residents were safeguarded at all times. All staff were facilitated to attend training on safeguarding residents from abuse and to ensure they were aware of their responsibility to report any allegations, disclosures or suspicions of abuse and the reporting structures in place in the centre.