Latest news with #RTEInvestigates
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
'No one should be handled like dad was' - family of nursing home patient
A family of a nursing home patient whose care was highlighted by RTE Investigates has alleged there was a 'consistent flow of poor care'. In a new episode broadcast on television last night, the family accused those responsible of failing 'people who are in dire need of attention'. Several accusations were made, including claims that a man was left alone in a corridor to tear pieces of paper, left cold with only a blanket, and that urine was 'all over the floor'. The programme was aired last week to allege multiple accusations of care failings for vulnerable residents at two nursing homes. These were identified in the broadcast as Residence in Portlaoise, Co Laois, and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Co Dublin. HIQA confirmed that it would carry out a review of both nursing homes that are operated by the Emeis Ireland group, which is the country's largest provider of private nursing homes. The company has since issued apologies to residents and their families and vowed an in-depth review to immediately address the issues. Yesterday, family members of elderly man Audeon Guy, 80, spoke out about his care at Beneavin Manor. Mr Guy was identified as one of the vulnerable residents who appeared in the undercover documentary. His family has called for accountability and expressed their shock and distress at witnessing the footage of their father. Audeon's son Paul said: 'No one should have to go through what we've seen. 'No one should be handled like our father was. These are human people – people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that. Audeon's daughter Sarah said: 'Our dad is the loveliest man. The nicest friend, neighbour, and best dad in the whole world.' Paul and Sarah's father ended up in Beneavin Manor in January past after being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, which causes severe confusion and hallucinations, following a bad fall last year. A HIQA inspection of the nursing home last November reported that residents were happy and that the centre was well managed. But the Guy family developed several concerns about the facility in recent months and made complaints. The family is now searching for new care for him and has urged the Government to enact a new law - the Adult Safeguarding Bill - to protect vulnerable individuals. Paul said: '[Father] was actually left alone many times. I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity. 'It happened to all the other people in the footage as well. That's the bigger issue: there's no accountability for this.'
Extra.ie
10-06-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
'I was shocked' -- Family impacted by RTE Investigates nursing home scandal speak out
The family of a nursing home resident who appeared in last week's RTE Investigates have called for accountability for their father and other's impacted by the scandal. In a new interview airing on RTÉ Prime Time tonight, the Guy family from Dublin have described their distress at seeing footage of their father Audeon being roughly handled at the Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin. The documentary, which featured two nursing homes – Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise, which are both run by private company Emeis Ireland, left viewers in shock at real life footage gathered by two undercover healthcare assistants. Audeon Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates 'No one should have to go through what we've seen,'Paul Guy told RTÉ Investigates. 'No one should be handled like our father was. These are human people – people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.' The documentary highlighted a number of repeated care failings including chronic staff shortages, vulnerable residents left unsupervised, the inappropriate handling of frail older people and a lack of basic supplies such as towels, bedsheets, gloves and sanitary wipes. Paul Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates 'Our dad is the loveliest man' said Sarah Guy, daughter of 80-year-old Audeon added. 'He'd do anything for you, really kind, loving, charitable and a big hugger.' Audeon was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia following a particularly bad fall late last year. His condition causes severe confusion and hallucinations, meaning he needs around the clock care. Paul, Sarah and their other siblings Kassandra and Dave began the search for a suitable nursing home for their father, having turned to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for support. 'I think there were 17 nursing home we applied for, and we went through all the HIQA reports for every nursing home,' Paul said. 'For Beneavin Manor we read the reports, and it seemed to be a very safe place to go. We looked at the brochures, I went and did the tour. It seemed to be fine.' Audeon Guy. Pic: RTÉ Investigates Their father Audeon moved into Beneavin Manor in January 2025 where he was assigned one-to-one care, however before long they started to have concerns. 'He was actually left alone many times,' Paul explained. 'I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity. I've witnessed really poor personal care in terms of his toenails left for weeks to grow and rot.' 'On another day there was urine all over the floor in his bathroom and there was no toilet seat. It just seemed to be a consistent flow of poor care for people who are in dire need of attention.' Paul, Sarah, Kassandra and Dave Guy with their father Audeon Guy (centre). Pic: RTÉ Investigates Shocked by the level of neglect, Paul and his siblings started to make complaints to management at the nursing home. Their emails referenced concerns about a general lack of carers and residents being left alone. The family also referenced residents who wanted to use the toilet being left unattended for lengthy periods of time, while they were worried their father had on occasion been inappropriately handled and sometimes did not have enough clothes because his laundry had not been done. In early March 2025 their detailed complaint was upheld with management at Beneavin Manor assuring the family corrective actions had been put in place to address their concerns. However, three weeks later, RTE's undercover carer captured disturbing footage including their father. In the startling scene he is directed along a corridor at pace to his bedroom by two carers to change his incontinence pad. The carers steered his walking frame while one held the waist of his trousers. Confused Audeon lashed out before being forced into his room, his trousers pulled down and pushed into an armchair. 'When I saw the actual footage, I was shocked, but it wasn't a revelation'Paul said. 'That's what is unfortunate. We had done everything. We put in all the complaints, notified everyone that was required, got responses back, acknowledgement of all their mistakes, plans being put in place, and this still happened, and it happened to all the other people in the footage as well. That's the bigger issue – there's no accountability for this.' In the wake of the documentary, Emeis Ireland apologised to Audeon's family, saying the standard of care depicted in the footage was unacceptable. Among the actions the family was assured have now been taken to immediately safeguard their father is a full investigation into staff practice and additional management supervision training and staff. As the family now begin the search for alternative care for their father, they stressed that the Government must move urgently to enact the Adult Safeguarding Bill – a vital law which could protect vulnerable individuals like their father from harm, abuse and neglect. 'We hope this brings some positive results and awareness to all that's happened to make sure our dad or anyone's loved one never has to go through this ever again,' Sarah continued. Watch the full interview tonight on RTÉ Prime Time, Tuesday at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTE Player
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘It's not acceptable', says Martin promising probe into Hiqa failures after ‘horrific & shocking' nursing home scandal
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin promised there would be an examination into how HIQA during failed to identify 'very horrific and shocking behaviour towards elderly people in nursing homes'. Shocking undercover footage broadcast by Advertisement 3 A new RTE investigation undercovers how the elderly are treated in nursing homes Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 3 Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed that there are issues in terms of HIQA's approach to the situation Credit: MAXWELL The RTE Investigates programme uncovered a litany of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, north Both are run by Ireland's top private nursing home provider Emeis Ireland, who have apologised for the failings. Reacting to the disturbing footage, the Speaking in Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS 'We think of the He also stressed that there are issues in terms of HIQA's approach to the situation - especially as one of the nursing homes at the centre of the RTE He said: 'I think they will be examining that aspect of it in terms of the manners and methodology used to inspect, even though these are unannounced inspections, when they happen. 'I think we have to stand back and take a look at how in one case anyway the inspections did reveal a lack of compliance, in another, not so, and that needs to be examined as to how that came about and are there better ways of getting in under this to make sure that this does not happen again. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN 'There will have to be increased vigilance from the regulatory approach and that is something that government will be looking at'. Amid the fallout from the explosive RTE show, the Health Information and Quality Authority confirmed this week that it had moved to halt admissions to The Residence REVIEW UNDERWAY The inspection body also revealed that a Minister Kieran O'Donnell held talks with HIQA to discuss issues raised in the RTE Investigates Advertisement And he said he now expects HIQA and the Chief Inspector to use all their available powers to improve the situation. Quizzed on the shocking doc footage, He said: "There is a very clear focus. There is a multi-stranded approach to aging in this country. "We are aging. We are one of the more younger populations in Advertisement PRIORITY TO RESIDENTS "So for example we have doubled expenditure on home care to well over €800 million. "We do have private nursing homes and we have public nursing homes and public institutions which tend to deal with more acute patients. "I spoke with the Minister O'Donnell, who was very much on this, and He added: "Our priority at this stage is those living in the nursing homes.' Advertisement 3 Shocking undercover footage showed residents crying for help, left in soiled clothes and being incorrectly handled Credit: RTE Press Office Issue
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Health chiefs launch sweeping review of ALL Irish nursing homes run by shamed group after ‘institutional abuse' expose
HEALTH inspectors have launched a sweeping review of ALL nursing homes operated by the shamed Emeis Ireland group following an 'institutional abuse' expose. Shocking undercover footage broadcast on Wednesday night showed residents crying for help, left in soiled clothes and being incorrectly handled. Advertisement 2 A new RTE investigation undercovered how some residents were being treated in nursing home Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 2 TD Kieran O'Donnell has requested the probe The RTE Investigates programme uncovered a litany of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents at The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, north Both are run by Ireland's top private nursing home provider Emeis Ireland, who have apologised for the failings. Amid the fallout from the explosive And the inspection body revealed a review of all nursing Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS HIQA said: 'The practices shown in the programme were wholly unacceptable and shocking. HIQA officials said the major probe followed a request from Minister of State with responsibility for Minister O'Donnell held talks with HIQA to discuss issues raised in the RTE Investigates programme. He says he now expects HIQA and the Chief Inspector to use all their available powers to improve the situation. Advertisement MOST READ IN IRISH NEWS O'Donnell declared: 'What we saw last night was a wake up call for everyone.' Undercover investigators posing as AI robot nurse with creepy 'face' taking over hospital jobs as it patrols halls, delivers meds and tracks patient vitals The Following concerns by whistleblowers, RTE had two undercover researchers, who were fully qualified as Healthcare assistants, apply for and secure jobs at separate Emeis nursing homes. Advertisement But despite it costing €1,200 a week for residents to stay in the 'INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE' In response to the damning footage, Consultant Geriatrician Professor David Robinson said: 'What we are looking at is largely institutional abuse. This is neglect in a setting which is supposed to be caring.' Opposition politicians last night warned the RTE Investigates programme 'represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people'. And Labour TD Eoghan Kenny called for HIQA officials to be hauled before the Advertisement ADMISSIONS RESTRICTION BREACH CONFIRMED ONE of the scandal hit nursing homes it is claimed breached a restriction on halting admissions. HIQA today confirmed that following an inspection of The Residence Portlaoise in February this year, it initiated proceedings to stop admissions to the nursing home. The provider, Emeis Ireland, was advised of this measure in February, a formal notification was issued in March and the restriction came into effect on 22 April. However, it emerged last night that the nursing home may have been in breach of the sanction after April 22. It is understood a flurry of admissions took place to the home in late April, including post 22 April and during which time RTE Investigates had an undercover healthcare assistant working at the home. Emeis Ireland was contacted for comment.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
HIQA carrying review into nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland group
The Health Information and Regulatory Authority has said it is taking escalated regulatory action in relation to two nursing homes identified in an RTE Investigates programme broadcast last night. Deputy Editor Aoife Hegarty discusses the programme and HIQA's response and next steps.
