Government ask gardaí to investigate nursing home

The Government has asked gardaí to investigate the Leas Cross nursing home in Swords in Co Dublin.

The Minister with responsibilities for the elderly, Mr Sean Power wrote to the Garda Commissioner today to ask him to liaise with the Health Service Executive in establishing whether the matter was "appropriate to gardai."

A Garda spokeswoman this eveing confirmed the approach had been made. "The Garda Siochana will be conducting an examination of the issues raised in the programme in conjunction with the Health Services Executive," she said.

The move follows last night's Prime Time Investigatesprogramme, which alleged sub-standard care at the home.

Mr Power said he was "deeply concerned at the content of the programme". He said it made for "disgraceful viewing" and that conditions shown on it would have shocked the nation.

He said: "I was really shocked at the treatment a number of patients had received at this nursing home, and I can only imagine how family members would have felt watching it who had a relative in the same nursing home."

The Minister acknowledged there were problems with the current inspection regime and said the Government would be bringing forward legislation for an independent inspectorate which would give them the "teeth to take action".

He said: "I think it's ridiculous having an inspectorate where the nursing homes get an advance warning of the visit - it defeats the purpose."

A spokesman for the Health Service Executive said its representatives had visited the home yesterday and this morning, and that a statement would be issued later this afternoon.

It is expected to appoint a new management team or to take patients out of the nursing home home today.

The Health Service Executive said it was shocked and appalled at the conditions at that were shown on the Prime Time Investigatesprogramme.