I have raised concerns following the Heath Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Report published yesterday regarding St John of God Community Services Centre in Co. Louth. The HIQA inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection on 11 November 2014.
The unannounced inspection took place in a unit of nine residents with major care needs. The findings of the HIQA report are not only concerning but raise a number of very serious and fundamental questions including the number of staff on duty in the unit, supervision, staff training and skills, and issues regarding individualised care and supports among others.
I understand that a response to the findings was compiled by Saint John of God and forwarded to HIQA in early December with the proposed timescale in addressing many of the issues before the end of 2014 or early in 2015. Following the publishing of this report yesterday, I believe it would be useful for St John of God Community Services in Co. Louth to provide an update on their progress in responding to the issues outlined.
From experience, I am aware that many of the staff in Drumcar provide excellent and appropriate care but some of the findings of this report should have been recognised and dealt with long before the unannounced inspection. It is essential that HIQA continue to make announced and particuarly unannounced visits to centres in order to monitor and improve the quality of care afforded to each person across the country. The residents and their families deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and provided with the highest standard of care possible in what essentially is their home.
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