Latest news with #Emeis
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
We will repeat Áras Attracta and Emeis scandals until we ensure care is people-centred
The recent RTÉ Investigates programme Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes lifted the lid on practices that have rightly been termed 'neglect' and 'abuse' by experts and family members. Images of older people being left for long periods in pain and discomfort, denied toilet facilities, and pleading for assistance which never came have shocked many people who did not know what was happening behind closed doors. They do, however, closely mirror similar images from an earlier programme, Inside Bungalow 3 — Áras Attracta, also produced by RTÉ Investigates in 2014. In that exposé, adults with intellectual disabilities were roughly handled, slapped and left unattended for long periods. Similarities between the two exposés There are some differences between these two programmes. One was based in a private setting and the other was public. There were different services models, one a nursing home and the other a disability centre. And there were different groups of people, one, older adults, and the other adults with intellectual disabilities. Despite this, there are significant similarities, and one must ask 'why?'. We know that care settings are by their nature complex environments where communication may be impacted by cognitive or intellectual impairment. Moreover, the simultaneous presentation of physical, health, behavioural, emotional, and welfare needs can provide significant challenges to care and support. The dynamic and individual nature of such issues demands a skilled and person-centred response from the service and those providing direct care: this was patently absent in both instances — at organisational and service delivery levels. Caregiving is about human relationships Perhaps the most striking underlying failures for me were in respect of 'knowing' the other person. Communication in healthcare is usually defined as a process that involves dialogue, engagement, active listening, feedback, clarity, and empathy. It encompasses both verbal and non-verbal means of expression. In nursing practice, this has been described as a 'helping relationship … without which no support can be offered to patients at any life stage.' Caregiving is grounded in caregivers recognising themselves as being in a relationship with another human being. Within a caring context, one would presume that this should be a positive and enriching relationship. One might also presume that this would be premised on knowing the other person, something that comes from actually spending time with the other person. There are many contrasts between Áras Attracta and the Emeis facilities exposed in 'RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes' earlier this year. But both had much in common in terms of a lack of human interaction. Picture: RTÉ This may seem quite obvious, but it is interesting to note in both programmes that the interactions between staff and those in receipt of their service were few and far between, and when they occurred, they were often functional, impersonal, and lacking in any positive communication. The lack of opportunities to know the person whom one is supporting, may contribute to a concurrent failure to see them as human beings but as objects to be moved and managed. Instances of this were seen both in the Áras Attracta and Emeis investigations. Whereas every health and social care professional is individually accountable to their regulatory body for the care provided, they may also be legally accountable for action/inaction that negatively impact other people. Fintan Sheerin, the professor of nursing and founding head of the new School of Nursing at Maynooth University, acted as a consultant on the RTÉ Investigates exposés. Organisations must also be held accountable for ensuring that they provide adequate resources to meet the support needs and wishes of those in their care. They must also ensure that there is a proper skill mix among staff, particularly in respect of complex interactions, to allow for the development of person-centeredness that is grounded in relationships and knowing of the other person. If organisations fail to take heed of these responsibilities, it is likely that we will see further programmes such as Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes and Inside Bungalow 3. • Fintan Sheerin was consultant to RTÉ Investigates for Inside Bungalow 3, Creches — Behind Closed Doors, and Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes. He is the professor of nursing and founding head of the new School of Nursing at Maynooth University which opens this autumn.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Hiqa made 28 referrals to gardaí over nursing homes in 2024, PAC told
Twenty-eight referrals were made to gardaí by the State's health and safety watchdog last year in relation to concerns around nursing homes , an Oireachtas committee has heard. Last month, a programme by RTÉ Investigates highlighted instances of alleged abuse at two nursing homes: Beneavin Manor, Dublin, and The Residence, Portlaoise. Both homes are run by Emeis, the largest provider of private nursing home beds in the State. The programme included footage of frail, older people, some of whom had dementia, allegedly being manhandled, 'forced' down into chairs and left for hours. It showed them being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked and being ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet. Following the airing of the programme, Emeis paused all new admissions into its 25 nursing homes around the State. READ MORE Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, members of the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), which regulates nursing homes, said it closes a nursing home only as a last resort. Susan Cliffe, deputy chief inspector of social services at Hiqa, said other measures were used first, including referrals made to various bodies. In 2024 there were 28 referrals to gardaí, two to the Department of Social Protection and two to fire services, she said. Ms Cliffe said the organisation can close homes when it needs to. In 2024, 10 notices were issued to nursing homes and seven of them have closed, she said, adding that a further one is under appeal. To date in 2025, one nursing home has been closed on foot of proceedings that were initiated last year, she added, stating this step was taken only as 'a last option'. Angela Fitzgerald, chief executive of Hiqa, said she was 'shocked and appalled and felt let down' when she saw the alleged abuse in the RTÉ programme. 'I felt deeply saddened that staff hadn't got the skills, experience and insight to see what they should do. I feel a sense of accountability,' she said. Asked if the homes at the centre of the programme would be closed, Finnbar Colfer, Hiqa's chief inspector designate, said a final decision in relation to 'any of the recent events' had not yet been made. He said the organisation was 'looking at information available' and was engaged with RTÉ to obtain its footage while this process was ongoing. Ms Fitzgerald acknowledged the recent issues had resulted in a 'dent in the armour' of the organisation in terms of public trust. One of the issues Hiqa highlighted was the potential to increase out-of-hours inspection. Last year, just under a quarter of inspections were conducted out of hours.
Irish Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Referrals made to gardaí after RTÉ documentary uncovered ‘appalling' treatment of residents at nursing homes
A number of referrals have been made to An Garda Síochána following revelations in an RTÉ Investigates documentary that highlighted alleged staff shortages and unsafe practices in two nursing homes, according to a new report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). On June 4th, RTÉ Investigates broadcast a programme that featured the care of residents in two nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland, the country's largest provider of private nursing homes – The Residence Portlaoise and Firstcare Beneavin Manor. Since the programme was broadcast, Hiqa, the regulator, has carried out a number of inspections at the two nursing homes in question. Management and staffing levels at both nursing homes have increased in recent weeks and senior management from Emeis 'have been engaged on site in both locations to provide ongoing oversight and direction to both centres', the report notes. READ MORE 'External, independent consultants have been retained by Emeis to undertake a root cause analysis of what occurred in both centres, to inform further ongoing actions to be taken by the provider,' the report adds. In some cases, staff disciplinary action has been initiated and 'where appropriate, referrals had been made to An Garda Síochána'. Following the programme's airing, Minister of State for Older People Kieran O'Donnell asked Hiqa to compile a report on the 25 centres run by Emeis Ireland group. Inspectors have since commenced a programme of inspection. In its report, Hiqa noted that the resident care depicted in the RTÉ programme 'was wholly unacceptable and an offence to the human rights and dignity of those residents'. 'Hiqa is appalled by the way that residents were treated, and such treatment goes against the core values of Hiqa and its staff,' the report says. 'Residents have the right to expect to receive care of the highest quality at all times and providers of nursing homes are required under the regulations to ensure they have systems in place to ensure that they do. Responsibility for the safety and care of residents rests with the individual provider of each nursing home and their staff.' The report states that the deputy editor of RTÉ Investigates wrote to Hiqa on May 23rd informing the organisation that the broadcaster was planning to air the programme. Following this, Hiqa said its deputy chief inspector 'engaged with the providers and sought immediate assurances about the safety and welfare of the residents'. 'A series of unannounced inspections commenced ... ... [at] both nursing homes in the evening and in the early hours of the morning, as well as during the day, to ascertain the service provided at all times of day and night,' the report noted. Inspections of The Residence Portlaoise were carried out on June 5th, 8th and 12th. Inspections of Firstcare Beneavin Manor were carried out on June 5th, 9th and 12th. The report stated: 'As expected, inspectors found that the provider had taken a range of measures to address the immediate risk to residents. 'Over the three days of inspection of both Firstcare Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise, inspectors found that the issues contributing to the lack of supplies and linen had been addressed. 'While actions had been taken to improve staffing, further improvements to staffing and staff supervision were required with immediate effect.' Mr O'Donnell and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, alongside other officials from the Department of Health, met with Hiqa on Monday, June 30th, to discuss the report. A spokesperson for the department said Hiqa told the Ministers that the authority 'would continue their intensive engagement with the Emeis Ireland Group of Nursing Homes'. 'The contents and findings of both reports are being considered, including the need for additional regulatory powers in respect of nursing homes, with actions in this regard to be taken as a matter of priority,' the spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday evening. 'It is important that all aspects of the nursing home sector are scrutinised over the coming period to ensure that service delivery and configuration meet the needs of residents and their families in a sustainable and safe manner. 'The welfare of residents and their families remains the Ministers' and government's highest priority.'
RTÉ News
18-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Does HIQA have sufficient powers?
The recent RTÉ Investigates exposé, on a number of private nursing homes and the fall-out, has raised fresh questions about the extent of HIQA's powers or ability to regulate the sector. A number of important facts emerged from the Oireachtas Health Committee today. Firstly, HIQA said it has no power to fine a nursing home and that cancellation of a home's registration is the "nuclear option". It also said it lacks the authority to go after a parent company, which may own a group of companies, that in turn own a number of nursing homes. HIQA said that recent updates to its regulatory powers, "when fully implemented", will provide powers to investigate specific individual complaints, will mean extra enforcement powers and shorten the timeframe for escalatory actions. Time will tell and these improvements cannot come fast enough to reassure families and residents. We learned today that there are 95 nursing homes under additional restrictive conditions. This is a dynamic situation where restrictions can be imposed and taken away. Many of the homes are run by the HSE, or small stand-alone private homes and not large corporate entities. The big question was why it took RTÉ Current Affairs, rather than HIQA, to uncover the issues at Benevain Manor in Glasnevin and The Residence in Portlaoise. A full HIQA report on the two homes is due to be sent to the Minister for Health and the Minister of State for Older People at the end of the week. The Interim Report found that Beneavin Manor had reported almost 200 incidents related to alleged suspected or confirmed abuse of patients. And The Residence had reported 40 such allegations. HIQA said today around 14% of notifications from Beneavin were moderate risk and that each one was explored. "We don't wait for a television programme for that. We review it," HIQA told the committee. HIQA has sought assurances regarding the other 23 homes than Emeis own. It has also referred matters to An Garda Síochána. HIQA told the committee that 85% of all inspections are unannounced and that in Emeis centres, 91% of inspections were unannounced.
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Minister ‘has concerns' over nursing-home sector's increasing privatisation
Minister of State for older people Kieran O'Donnell said he has 'concerns' about the increasing privatisation of the nursing home sector, particularly in light of recent allegations of elder abuse and neglect at two centres. The Minister appeared before the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday, after a programme by RTÉ Investigates highlighted instances of alleged abuse at Beneavin House, Dublin, and The Residence, Portlaoise. Both homes are run by Emeis, the largest provider of private nursing home beds in the State. The programme included footage of frail, older people, some of whom had dementia, allegedly being manhandled, 'forced' down into chairs, being left in chairs for hours, being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked and being ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet. Speaking to politicians, Mr O'Donnell said some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are privately run, adding: 'I would have concerns around the growth in the groups area.' READ MORE The Minister said the department commissioned a European body to look at the increased group ownership of nursing homes, and the potential risks of this both financially and in the case of quality of care. That report is due in September, he said, adding it will be 'considered greatly'. The Minister also revealed his officials have informed him of 'notifiable incidents' in two other nursing homes, one of which involved the gardaí. 'They were very serious incidents,' he said. In light of the issues highlighted in the Emeis-run homes, the Minister said it is his hope to bring forward safeguarding legislation 'as a matter of urgency'. Speaking at the same meeting, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), which regulates the nursing home sector, said it has a number of levers to ensure compliance with the regulations, with the cancellation of a registration being a 'nuclear option'. Last year, the HSE took over six nursing homes that were operated by private entities. Furthermore, the regulator said 95 homes have additional conditions attached to their registration as of June 5th. These conditions can relate to a number of things, including staffing levels, specific care procedures or the number of residents a centre can accommodate. It added that due to the 'changing landscape' of increased corporatisation, there is a need to change the regulatory framework. Angela Fitzgerald, chief executive of Hiqa, said under the current system the body can only direct individual providers to do something and it does not have 'powers' to direct corporate companies. 'We work on the basis of co-operation,' she said, calling for Hiqa's regulatory powers to be increased in this area. In a statement following the broadcast, Emeis Ireland apologised 'unequivocally' to all residents and their families. 'We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times,' the company said. A report by Hiqa on Emeis-run nursing homes is due by the end of this week.
