Health authorities have raised serious concerns over fire safety at a Roscommon nursing home following an inspection last year.
Hiqa found significant improvements were required to reach appropriate standards at Aras Mathair Phoil in Castlerea.
This unannounced inspection took place on the 9th of December last when 20 residents were being cared for.
The inspection followed on from a previous Hiqa visit in August of last year which identified non-compliances in regards to fire safety precautions.
Of significant concern was arrangements in place regarding the timely evacuation of residents to a place of safety and the effective containment of smoke, fumes and fire in the event of a fire emergency in the centre.
Some good practices were identified among staff but several issues were also identified of worry to the health inspector.
These included concerns that two staff on duty at night would not be able to safely evacuate eight residents in the case of a fire ; issues with the maintenance and performance of fire doors in the centre; an external escape route to the side of the nursing home partially obstructed by rubbish bins and the fire exit doors needed a code to release the door locking mechanism and there was no manual override fitted to the door in order to release them if a fault occurred at any time.
Hiqa also noted that the fire safety risk assessment from 2015 was not representative of the current risks identified on this inspection and was required to be fully updated and concerns were expressed over the experience of the person in charge as they "did not have three years' experience of nursing older persons within the previous six years."
The HSE issued a statement following the inspection confirming "an action plan was prepared for the fire safety issues identified and Aras Mhathair Phoil is now fully compliant with Regulation 28."
It also confirmed that the HSE were not successful in recruiting a Person In Charge that met the full requirements on a permanent, temporary or agency basis.
However, they claim that they are "satisfied that the current Person In Charge is competent to ensure the safe care of the residents and "interviews took place again recently to recruit a Person in Charge.
You can read the full report here:
The full HSE statement is below:
HSE Community Healthcare West is committed to providing high quality patient centred care to residents of Aras Mhathair Phoil Community Nursing Unit, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
The report of the last full HIQA inspection of 31st August 2022 stated “There was a calm but upbeat atmosphere in the centre throughout the day. Although staff were busy with caring for residents, they engaged residents in light-hearted banter and conversation. The inspector met several residents and spoke with three residents in more detail during the day of the inspection. Overall residents' feedback was positive regarding their lives in the centre and they confirmed the centre was a 'happy place', 'a good place to live in' and that they were well cared for. It was clear that staff knew residents well and residents were very comfortable in their company. This had a positive impact on residents' wellbeing and contributed to the generally upbeat atmosphere in the centre.”
Following the most recent HIQA inspection on 9th December 2021, an action plan was prepared for the fire safety issues identified and Aras Mhathair Phoil is now fully compliant with Regulation 28. All the fire safety actions having been completed and certified by the Fire Authorities.
It is recognised across the economy, including in healthcare, that there are currently significant difficulties in recruiting staff. Despite recruitment campaigns, the HSE were not successful in recruiting a Person In Charge that met the full requirements of Regulation 14 for Aras Mhathair Phoil on a permanent, temporary or agency basis. As set out in the Action Plan, while the current Person in Charge does not meet the specified requirements of Regulation 14 which requires 3 years’ experience of nursing older people in the last 6 years, the Person in Charge has over 14 years’ experience in nursing older people. The HSE is satisfied that the current Person In Charge is competent to ensure the safe care of the residents of Aras Mhathair Phoil. Interviews took place again last week to recruit a Person in Charge.
