A report into the death of a 60-year-old disabled man, following his transfer to Leas Cross Nursing Home five years ago, emphasises once again the disgraceful manner in which vulnerable, elderly citizens have been treated within this society.
The report recommends that future inspections of nursing homes should concentrate on the needs of patients and on the quality of medical and nursing care provided, rather than on the physical fabric of buildings. And it suggests the size of such institutions should be restricted to a maximum of 50 beds.
These are fundamental issues. And the lack of urgency displayed by the Government in responding to them is shameful. It takes a television programme, such as the one broadcast by RTÉ on Leas Cross last May, to sting the Government into action. Within days of that broadcast, legislation was promised before the end of the year to strengthen the rights of patients under the Nursing Home Act and to establish a new, independent nursing home inspectorate. But nothing has happened. And it may be another year before the promised legislation is enacted.
We should not be surprised, given the administrative shambles that exists within the health services. But, as caring and responsible citizens, we should not tolerate such incompetence. Reform is urgently required. And the time for political blather is past. It is all very well for the Tánaiste to talk about a new departure in caring for the elderly and providing special supports and nursing care for people in their own homes. Certainly, that would be a welcome development. But it distracts attention from urgent nursing home issues. In addition, private houses usually have to be modified for home care. And local authorities are short of money to grant-aid work of this kind.
Improving the quality of nursing home care should be treated as a priority. Although the private sector has borne the brunt of recent criticisms, anecdotal evidence points to serious inadequacies within State-run institutions. The current inspection system is clearly inadequate in scope and only applies to privately owned centres. That must change. All nursing homes should be inspected regularly and unannounced by a statutory body, independent of the Health Service Executive. It should involve a hygiene audit, as well as an assessment of the quality of care provided for residents. And the findings should be published. Only in that way will the public be reassured.
A lack of training in basic medical care, poor discipline and staff shortages brought about the forced closure of Leas Cross. It could happen anywhere. In spite of that, the Government is dragging its feet in taking remedial action. This lack of urgency in addressing the needs of vulnerable old people is unconscionable. It reflects an official mindset that permitted their assets to be effectively stolen in the past. Most families are still awaiting compensation.