This article is from page 15 of the 2006-10-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
A HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) inspection of Carrigoran House nursing home near Newmarket on Fergus has given the facility a clean bill of health.
However, Age Action Ireland has questioned the value of such reports “as they tell us nothing about the homes in question”.
In relation to Carrigoran, the HSE Inspection Team concluded that the nursing home, which can accommodate 152 residents, “was found to be in substantial compliance with the Health Act 1990 and subsequent regulations”.
The published report runs to less than 200 words. It acknowledges that Carrigoran Nursing Home in conjunction with the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit of the HSE are developing policies and procedures for “person centred care” at the Nursing Home.
The inspection related to an unannounced visit to Sancta Maria nursing home in Cratloe also stated that most of the items of a previous inspection had been addressed.
There are eight private nursing homes in Clare and there are currently reports available on the HSE website in relation to two – the other homes are Cahercalla Community Hospital Ennis, Kilrush Districk Hospital, Kilrush, Lakes Hill Rd, Killaloe, Riverdale House, Ardnacrusha, St. Domnic Savio, Liscannor and St. Theresa’s, Kilrush.
Sr Christina Murphy of Carrigoran said that the home was “gratified” by the comments made in the HSE Inspection report.
She said: “We strive for a holistic approach in relation to the residents here and the HSE has recognised that. It was an announced inspection and was a very thorough examination of the home. The inspection team examined everything. They were very professional, checked all the charts and all aspects of the operation of the nursing home. They didn’t leave any stone unturned.”
Sr Christina said that the inspection team commenced their examination of the facility at 9.30am and remained until 2.30pm.
“We are quite pleased that the inspections are going on. They can only help to improve your standards in the quality of care.”
A spokesman for Age Action Ireland said: “The reports tell you nothing about the care facilities. What do we know about the social activities at these homes, the diets? Nothing. The details in these reports are so scant as to render them meaningless. All the details in relation to these facilities need to be published. An independent inspectorate needs to be put in place. The Government has promised it since 2002, but we are still waiting for it to happen.