‘I have a lovely home’: Glowing HIQA report for Leitrim centre

A residential service in Leitrim that caters to adults with an intellectual disability who may also present with a physical or sensory disability, as well as people with a dual diagnosis including mental health issues, has received a glowing report from a HIQA inspector.

The inspector visited Loughtown House on May 28 this year, and the report was published on September 24.

The Carrick-on-Shannon centre is a seven-day residential home currently providing care to three ladies who have a mild to severe range of intellectual disability. The service is staffed by a person in charge, a staff nurse and a team of care assistants.

The inspector found that Loughtown House provided “a very good person centred safe service” to residents, and all residents clearly communicated that they were happy in the centre.

One of the residents told the inspector, “I have a lovely home, I don’t know where I would get better than this, “I am as happy as the flowers of May” and “the people I live with are my friends.”

The inspector also heard about the social activities the residents get to take part in, such as social farming, attending a day centre, going to the hairdresser and attending football matches.

The report described the staff as “attentive” and said they interacted with residents in “a pleasant, caring way.” It also said their focus was to make sure that the residents enjoyed a good quality of life.

Just three minor issues were identified. These included one resident wanting their room painted, with the maintenance team aware of this and the work due to be completed in the coming weeks. There were also a few uneven paving slabs in the back garden that required review to ensure they did not expose residents to a fall or slip, while some tiles were missing from the back of the toilet in the main bathroom. However, effective leadership from staff was found, along with effective management arrangements to ensure residents had a good quality of life.

The centre was inspected against 17 regulations and was found to be compliant with all of them. The regulations were persons in charge; staffing; training and staff development; governance and management; admissions and contract for the provision of services; statement of purpose; volunteers; notification of incidents; communication; visits; premises; information for residents; fire precautions; individual assessment and personal plan; health care; positive behavioural support; and residents’ rights.