Recent upgrade works at a Leitrim care home have been praised by both residents and inspectors. The Arus Carolan Community Nursing Unit in Mohill is run by the HSE and cares for over 30 residents. A recent HIQA inspection of the service recorded high praise for the operation, while also identifying areas in need of improvement. Arus Carolan Community Nursing Unit provides residential care for 34 male and female residents over the age of 18. HIQA staff arrived for an unannounced inspection in April of this year and spoke to residents and staff as part of their analysis. Residents told HIQA staff that they were content and happy in the unit with special praise for recently completed upgrade and refurbishment work. The centre was found to have facilitated a variety of social activities throughout the day and these activities gave residents opportunities to participate in meaningful actions that interested them. Resident feedback of the staff at the Leitrim Care home was 'overwhelmingly positive' according to the inspection report, with residents stating that 'the best of people work here'. The results also show that residents who were non verbal appeared comfortable in the presence of staff and staff gave them time to communicate their needs.
A number of issues were identified at the centre with the inspectors ruling the care home compliant with 19 standards, substantially compliant with three and non compliant with one. Staffing was the one non-compliance after the service reduced the number of healthcare staff available at night since February, with incident reports showing a subsequent rise in the number
of residents falling at night. To address this following the inspection, a review of staffing in the centre was held, with additional staff allocated to the centre after its completion. Substantial compliances were also recorded in challenging behaviour management, governance and individual assessments. HSE management put forward an action plan to HIQA to address those concerns.
