Bray nursing home failed to investigate abuse claims, says Hiqa

A nursing home in Bray failed to investigate multiple allegations of abuse despite stating the claims had been resolved, according to an inspection report.

During an unannounced visit in May, Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) officials found two complaints that were “suggestive of abuse” by staff at the Shannagh Bay home had not been followed up.

Among the grievances lodged at the 35-bed care centre in 2015 was an allegation that a staff member “shouted and screamed” at a resident.

Another elderly complainant said staff on day shifts “refused to shower them repeatedly for a number of months”.

Both had been noted as “successfully resolved” but when Hiqa inspectors investigated further they found that neither complaint was looked into in any detail, and the registered care provider accepted that follow-up action was not taken as had been indicated.

“Evidence that these allegations were taken seriously or that the safety and well being of the residents involved were prioritised was not found,” said the report, which added that not all staff at Shannagh Bay had received training on recognising abuse.

Responding to the findings, management at the home said “all complaints are taken very seriously and residents are supported and encouraged to voice their concerns in relation to any aspect of their care.”

Management vowed to discuss the allegations with the relevant residents, and said staff would receive further training on how to manage their frustrations and deal with challenging requests.

The centre failed all six care standards it was tested against by Hiqa, but it was noted that it did provide a good standard of nursing “in an atmosphere of respect and cordiality”.

The Shannagh Bay home previously came to public prominence when a pensioner died after setting himself alight while smoking in one of its bathrooms.

Cavan man Oliver Cronin (69), a resident at the home, died of multi-organ failure on March 2nd, 2014, the day after he sustained extensive burns in the incident.