AN INSPECTION OF a centre for people with disabilities by health watchdog Hiqa has uncovered a litany of hygiene problems – including visible rodent traps in the dining room of one of the centre’s bungalows.
Serious problems with fire safety management were also highlighted.
The pre-announced inspection of the facility – part of the St Patrick’s Centre in Kilkenny – was carried out on 26 and 27 of May this year. 21 residents were being cared for at the centre at the time.
Consisted of two separate bungalows side by side, inspectors noted that some parts of the centre were “visibly unclean”.
As the report notes:
“For example there were cobwebs in dining rooms and storage areas.
“The light covering in the visitors room was slightly damaged which had led to an accumulation of dead insects plainly visible in the light covering.
“Inspectors saw waste bins were located to the rear of one bungalow for all household waste but the cover on one of these bins was broken.
“There were two rodent traps in the dining room of this bungalow.”
Later, the report observes:
“Inside the bungalows the paint on the walls had been damaged in most areas. It was particularly noticeable in some residents’ bedrooms and in the dining rooms.
“Wardrobes in many residents’ rooms were also in need of redecoration or replacement. In one of the bungalows the walls, while painted, were unplastered bare block walls.
“The flooring in some residents’ bedrooms was dated and required replacement.
“The flooring in one dining area was substantially damaged and had not been repaired. The kitchen units were dated and had been chipped or damaged over time.
“In one kitchen a fire break glass unit had been removed but wires were clearly exposed from this unit and it was visibly unclean.”
Feedback from the family of one resident said the whole “unit could do with a face lift – some rooms were badly in need of paint”.
Another family member commented that they “would like to see the centre made more comfortable with replacement furniture, curtains and decor in the communal areas”.
Inspectors also noted that residents’ complex healthcare needs were not being addressed “as part of the person centred care planning process”.
Problems with staffing levels were also highlighted, as the watchdog’s report states…
“Inspectors found that the provider was failing to ensure that the staffing levels were adequate in relation to the number and assessed needs of residents with due regard to the size and layout of the centre.
“An immediate action plan was given to the provider following the inspection to address this issue.
“Inspectors also found that the provider was failing to ensure that effective fire safety management systems were in place and a further immediate action plan was given to the provider.”
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