A Cork doctor whose nursing home was criticised by inspectors said health boards put more value on "bureaucratic checklists" than on quality of care.
Waste material which constituted a health hazard, emergency call bells which didn't work, poor ventilation and old and shabby furniture and fittings, were found by inspectors who visited St Albert's Nursing Home, Blair's Hill, Sunday's Well, Cork, in February.
Large numbers of black bags containing incontinence pads, soiled material and other matter "were piled high to the rear of the premises," said Southern Health Board inspectors in a report released under the Freedom of Information Act. "This is a serious public health issue and must be rectified immediately."
They also noted in a letter to its owner that "it was very cool upstairs and the heating was off when we called to your home. There was an old lady in bed up on top floor and the room was very cool."
The owner, Dr Martin Moloney, told The Irish Times the remarks about waste material were "fair comment". The man who normally removes the black sacks twice a week was ill that week, he said.
He said the heating system worked on a thermostat.
Dr Moloney criticised the health board inspection system for failing to take account of quality of care except in what he alleged was a very narrow sense.
As a medical doctor he visited the home twice a day to look after the residents' needs, he said, but this was not reflected in the report. Neither, he said, was the twice-weekly visit by an occupational therapist nor the quality of the food reflected by the inspection system. Asked about emergency bells which were not working, Dr Moloney said some patients were so incapacitated they would not be able to use them.
The Bridhaven Nursing Home, Spa Glen, Mallow, is registered for 24 residents, but the inspectors said its dayroom was suitable for only 15. A planned conservatory was expected to solve this problem, they noted.
The fire exit could cause accidents, the inspectors said. They also complained that an uncompleted pathway and rubble constituted a health hazard.
The owners, Mr and Mrs Mills, were unwilling to make a statement for publication when contacted yesterday.
pomorain@irish-times.ie