Serious neglect at Kilkenny nursing home

The safety body HIQA has uncovered yet more cases of mistreatment and neglect of nursing home residents, this time at a home in Co.Kilkenny.

HIQA's inspection reports on Avondale Nursing Home in Callan reveals serious abuses of residents, including failure to provide adequate basic food.

The care centre was officially closed this week, following concerns from HIQA over the sudden discharge of a number of residents over a period of two days and other issues.

Relatives were receiving text messages telling them they had to make alternative arrangements for their family members within 48 hours.

HIQA said a number of residents were told by the home's owners that they had to move, 'without the support or advice of next of kin, which they confirmed was additionally traumatic.'

It said the residents were given no opportunity to adequately make an informed choice as to where they would move.

Just before HIQA sought a court order that the home should be closed, its inspectors found a shortage of food supplies, and HSE officials had to to purchase basic food items for the residents.

The owners were also unable to provide evidence that residents' personal property was accounted for.

Staff at Avondale told HIQA in July that tney had not been paid by their employers at the home.

The HSE then agreed to take responsibility for the salaries in the short-term while it oversaw the safe discharge and placement of the residents.

Inspectors noted that stocks of food were very limited at a visit in July and identified 'significant shortages'. The HSE had to buy basic essentials such as meat, vegetables (there was one bag of potatoes), drinks, cereals, bread and milk, HIQA's report says.

The owners of the Avondale home refused to engage constructively with HIQA, it says. They may now face further legal action from HIQA.

The home was officially closed yesterday following the cancellation of its registration by HIQA. The safety body today published six inspection reports on the home from visits carried out in recent months.

HIQA has recently uncovered reported incidences of mistreatment of patients at a number of nursing homes around the country.

Elderly care - some painful lessons for us all?

[Posted: Wed 31/08/2011]