Nursing Home Abuse Reports Must Be Published - Ireland

Nursing home abuse reports must be published
03/02/2008

Age Action believes that the general public, and people trying to select a nursing home for themselves or older relatives, have a right to know if serious cases of abuse and sub-standard care have been investigated and substantiated at any home.

The older people’s charity was responding to weekend newspaper reports (Irish Independent, February 2, 2008) that documents released under the Freedom of Information have revealed that HSE investigations have confirmed instances of residents being assaulted, restrained, over-sedated or allowed wander from a number of public and private homes.

Details of these investigations – which occurred in 2005 and 2006 -- have never been made public. The reports also show that admissions to a number of homes were temporarily suspended. Again the public was not told.

The investigations are not referred to either in the HSE inspection reports of private nursing homes. Currently, there are no inspections of public nursing homes.

“Age Action is concerned that at the lack of transparency within the HSE when it comes to telling the public what is happening within our nursing homes,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said.

“This information is vital for families trying to select a nursing home and to home residents and families with relatives in homes. It is also important to reassure the public that the HSE is investigating all complaints and ensuring that everything is being done to protect one of the most vulnerable sections of our society.”

Age Action is particularly concerned by one of the HSE documents which found that the breaches at a nursing home in the south east were of a very serious nature and, if they happened again, would result in a prosecution being sought and An Bord Altranais being informed. Age Action believes if serious breaches of regulations occur prosecutions and reports to the nursing board should be sought on the first occasion.

“Serious breaches of care standards must result in a tough response from the HSE in order to protect people,” Mr Timmins said. “It is too late to take stringent measures after a second serious breach has occurred.”

Age Action believes that investigaton reports of cases where abuse of older people is confirmed should be made public. “There may be legal obstacles to be overcome in order to do this, but every effort should be made to resolve these difficulties,” Mr Timmins said. “If closure orders against chip shops and restaurants can be published, then surely the findings of nursing home investigations can be made public.”

The documents highlight the need for more stringent standards, inspection, training and supervision of nursing home staff.



SOURCE: ageActionIreland





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