TD calls for inquiry into Cork nursing home

Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd called for an inquiry into the running of a Cork nursing home, when it was owned by a doctor between 1994 and 2005.

He said that St Albert's nursing home, Blairs Hill, Sunday's Well, Cork, had Dr Martin Moloney as its registered proprietor from September 1st, 1994, until the ownership changed on January 1st, 2006, when Dr Moloney ceased to have any involvement in it. "Nothing I am saying pertains, in any way, to the current owners," the TD said.

Mr O'Dowd said that in 2003 a health board official had stated that no sick person should be sent to the nursing home, but people continued to be sent there and the Minister for Health had done nothing about it. He referred to the case of a patient who could not walk or talk, and whose relatives thought was dying.

"On ringing later that day, the family was informed that this patient had been transferred to hospital. The patient had been transferred without the family's knowledge. The report stated that this patient had pressure sores that were not dressed, bruising on the shin, was totally dehydrated, had a possible fractured hip, a chest infection, and was unable to speak."

The elderly man had been sent by ambulance to hospital, wearing only his pyjamas, and no belongings were sent with him.

A special inquiry board had been established by the HSE, following complaints about the home. The report was sent to the Department of Health in September 2004, which happened to be the month Mary Harney took over as Minister.

The findings of environmental officer Mary Falvey revealed that while the main kitchen was maintained in a clean condition, a large amount of boxes of washing detergent were stored there. The report continued: "The cooked food refrigerator was not maintaining food at 5 degrees centigrade. A variety of temperatures, ranging from 7 degrees centigrade to 13.5 degrees centigrade, was noted during the inspections."

Mr O'Dowd said that Ms Falvey's report had noted that the wash-hand basin in the service kitchen was inaccessible due to the use of a wooden board, which covered the basin area.

"Both milk dispensers were dirty in the area from which milk was dispensed, and, in my opinion, had not been recently cleaned. Coagulated milk was visible in this area. The base of one of the dispensers was rusted.

"The microwave was not properly cleaned and the interior top surface was dirty. Cleaning records showed these units, microwave and milk dispensers, had been cleaned on a daily basis. The evidence indicated inadequate cleaning." On the dining area for more dependent patients, the report had said that "the timber surfaces supporting the formica tops were dirty with food debris, as was the wall surface adjacent to the tables".

Relating to room 13, the report said: "A gap between the door of the toilet and the end wall was visible. A lengthy crack was visible between tiles on the end wall. A large hole was visible in the ceiling."

Regarding the laundry area, the report said: "There were large holes, with daylight clearly visible at the base of the external wall, where holes had been provided to facilitate venting from drying equipment.

"The open end of ducting, and the gaps around the vent ducting, must be rodent-proofed to prevent access by rodents."

Mr O'Dowd said the report recommended that adequate precautions be taken against the risk of fire, including the provision of adequate means of escape.