Drogheda nursing home fails all but two care standards

A HSE-run nursing home in Drogheda failed all but two of 11 standards during a follow-up inspection by Hiqa.

An initial inspection of The Cottage Hospital on Scarlet Street in Drogheda on January 18th resulted in 19 required actions in relation to the maintenance of documentation, safeguarding, risk and medication management, premises and staffing.

An unannounced follow-up inspection by the health watchdog on May 5th found while progress had been made in some areas, “further improvements were required in most of the outcomes followed up on”.

Only two of the standards, medication management and complaints procedures, were found to be compliant in the follow-up inspection.

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The remaining nine which included governance and management, information for residents, safeguarding and safety, suitable staffing, safe and suitable premises, were deemed moderately non-compliant.

Other issues identified related to statement of purpose, suitable person in charge, documentation to be kept at a designated centre and health and safety and risk management.

The HSE said it identified the findings of the Hiqa report following its inspection and that management had put in place “a robust plan” to address the non-compliances identified in the inspection.

“Governance has been strengthened with the appointment of an assistant director of nursing to join the existing management team,” it said.

“Significant monies have been spent to address the issues identified by Hiqa around privacy, dignity and safety of residents which include a new entrance to the unit, low-beds and privacy screening.

“Nurse management are further supported with input from the recently appointed maintenance manager for Louth-Meath.”