Care home charged more than contract of care stated

A centre for people with intellectual disabilities used money belonging to some of its residents to pay for agency staff, according to a Hiqa report.

The centre, comprising five units, is run by voluntary organisation Peamount Healthcare on its campus in Newcastle, Co Dublin.

At the time of last July’s pre-announced Hiqa inspection, it was home to 22 male residents .

Major non-compliances were found under nine of the 18 criteria which were inspected. Moderate non-compliances were found under a further four headings.

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The report found financial management at the home did not protect residents’ rights.

Some residents’ finances were charged “significant amounts” to pay for additional staff supports from an external agency provider, a charge Hiqa says was not detailed in their contracts of care.

The fees charged and additional fees were having a significant financial impact on some residents in the centre, inspectors noted.

Inspectors found that residents had their own bank account managed for them by Peamount Healthcare administration department.

For example inspectors viewed some residents’ financial records and found that one resident had €11 left for personal use each week once all fees and additional fees were paid.

The report also found a number of failures to safeguard residents in the event of a fire. Emergency exits in three areas were inaccessible to residents with mobility aids and only one fire drill was conducted annually.

An action plan reproduced at the end of report lists Hiqa’s required improvements as of last July.

The report states that the service provider, Peamount Healthcare, “attended a meeting in Hiqa’s Dublin office following the inspection to discuss its findings and to provide reassurances to Hiqa that the actions identified would be implemented”.