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THE PSYCHIATRIC NURSES Association (PNA) has called for an “urgent” meeting with the Health Minister, Leo Varadkar to discuss the major non compliances by a residential home in County Mayo.
Last week, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published a report on the Care standards at the Aras Attracta residential care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities in Swinford, County Mayo.
Unannounced inspection
During an unannounced inspection, inspectors found that mealtime was “unsatisfactory and did not promote dignity, choice, respect or promote independence”.
Inspectors found that the overall approach to mealtimes was not person-centred, adding:
On both days of the inspection, inspectors found that mealtimes were not a pleasant
experience nor a social occasion…
During the inspection meal time was found to be “a hurried occasion” for some residents particularly those who required assistance.
Inspectors observed some residents being offered spoonfuls of food in quick succession by some staff members before the residents had swallowed the previous spoonful.
Meal time
Some meals sampled by an inspector were served cold as they had been left on an unheated trolley and uncovered for between 20 and 25 minutes.
Inspectors also heard staff using inappropriate descriptions when referring to residents during the meal time and rushing residents by repeatedly asking “are you ready” between spoonfuls of food.
They were also concerned about the long fasting times between the last meal of
the day and the first meal the following day which extended up to 15 hours for some
residents.
The unannounced inspection was launched by HIQA after it said it received a number of unsolicited complaints about the home.
Sudden death
The gardaí confirmed to TheJournal.ie, that they are investigating the sudden death of a 72-year-old man at the care home in 2012. It is understood that the man, who was was a long-term resident at the home, became ill while and was taken to accident and emergency department of a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The PNA said an urgent meeting with Varadkar is needed to discuss what it believes are “unresolved issues” following the HIQA publication.
PNA National Secretary, Noel Giblin they expected the new minister to meet with them to hear first hand of the ongoing concerns.
“While there have been significant improvements at Aras Attracta the PNA are not satisfied that all of the issues with the unit have been resolved and there are number of outstanding concerns that have to be addressed urgently by the management,” he said.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Giblin said they had no word yet back from Varadkar but said that they were “hopeful” that Varadkar would pay them this respect of meeting with them, adding that they did highlight a lot of the concerns raised in the report back in 2012.
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I’d say leo will have a head of grey hair by this time next year
It’s just Very very sad for the residents In this home to be treated in that manner
When this story broke on the Tv I was just so horrified. I had to leave the room when I realised I was crying. My stomach is still sick every time I think of those poor people. Those of us with children with am intellectual disability get very frightened when we see stories like this. I really want to set up an advocacy service nationwide to encompass all people like this. Especially for those with no family involvement. Someone has to be their voice. We can’t always rely on whistleblowers
Catherine, there was meant to be a service like that set up by the government- it was legislated for in 2005, and all services would be obliged by law to cooperate. 9 years later it’s not set up. There is an advocacy service but it doesn’t have much statutory power. It’s a great service, and the staff work really hard, but it’s not what was meant to happen.
Thanks for that Zoe . I know that there are some local ones set up by service providers in some counties too. I would much rather see one set up independent of government . I don’t other agendas influencing the care a person recieved and yes they should have real power. Maybe it’s time to start getting things moving again. I don’t even know how to do this but think I am going to find out. Like most carers I have little time to myself but honestly this is too important to let go .
http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/services/advocacy_services/ In case you want to start some investigations. :) It is an independent service but again, services are not legally obliged to interact with an advocate. It’s up to each service to agree to do so.
Thank you again Zoe :) you are starting to restore my faith in humanity .
What disturbs me about all these stories is that the amount of staff that work in these facilities that day or do nothing to prevent this. We all like to think that there are more caring people working in these homes but why is it acceptable for the majority of staff in that facility to accept poor standards and just sit back because either they are afraid of HSE backlash or because they have become desensitised if it is how things are done on a prolonged basis. Anyone who took part in poor and undignified care practice’s should also be reprimanded. There should also be compulsory reporting and it should be an offence for staff not to report concerns around care. A member of my family has special needs and I find it very difficult to even put into writing my thoughts on these situations. Emotionally is very difficult. The HSE can be a very frustrating organisation to deal with and also some staff also can behave in a very defensive way when trying to enquire about a loved ones care and we’ll being. My family have made a commitment to never allow my sister into residential care. She is now 25 and hopefully we will continue to care for her.
As I recently had to put my mother into a dementia unit I would have say @ reagan you are a troll and a clueless muppet. I wish u a sudden lack of oxygen to your brain. Not that it would affect your IQ. Back to your cave!
Danny jeez , low IQ insult on a story like this ? Having a low IQ I should not be a reason to be rdiculed and actually in my extensive experience many with lower and low IQs are the nicest sweetest kindest people in the world who would never wish ill on anyone. I know you were standing up to a troll and personally upset by her comments but please think before you write. Ok? Not having a real go but a gentle reminder . My mother had dementia too. It’s tough I know.
Early days for my familys suffering, not used to the PC side of things, but reagans comment should red thumbed out of existence, my mothers only 61, end stage already, hasn’t a clue who we are anymore, and that idiot comment made my blood boil, this troll assumes we just decide to discard our loved ones when it suits us, we held on for years, she became a danger to herself. In the end we had no choice.
As a man that recently had to place his mother in a dementia unit, @ reagan you are a clueless troll. I wish you a sudden lack of oxygen to your brain, not that it would affect your IQ I suspect! #completeASSh&le
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