HIQA finds social activity shortcomings at Leitrim nursing home

A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspector has criticised a Leitrim nursing home for its lack of social activities available to residents.

The inspection was carried out in June 2024 of Ballinamore Nursing Unit and published on October 10. The unit currently has 19 residents.

The report found that several residents did not have sufficient opportunities to engage in meaningful social activities that aligned with their interests and abilities. 

According to HIQA, this finding has been identified previously.

Nine of the 19 residents living in the nursing home didn’t spend time in the sitting room on the day of inspection. These residents were found in their bedrooms watching television, or sitting quietly and sleeping in their chairs.

The report stated that, “there was limited evidence available regarding input from staff to support these residents with participating in meaningful social activities in line with their interests and capacities.”

This finding came under ‘Residents rights,’ which was deemed to be ‘not compliant.’

Of the 18 compliances that were inspected in Ballinamore Nursing Unit, nine were found to be ‘compliant,’ four were ‘substantially compliant,’ and five were ‘not compliant.’

Overall, HIQA’s report of Ballinamore Nursing Unit found that residents' feedback of the nursing home was positive regarding their lives and the care they receive.

The environment was found to be “spacious, bright and maintained to a high standard.”

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The inspector was assured that residents received their medications correctly; however, the medication administration practices at the nursing home did not uphold a high standard of nursing care in line with the professional guidelines set by An Bord Altranais and Cnaimhseachais.

This area of health care was deemed not compliant by HIQA.

When contacted by the Leitrim Observer, HSE Community Services for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo stated: “Residents are cared for, supported and valued within a care environment that promotes their health and well-being.  

“The objectives of Ballinamore Nursing Unit includes providing a high standard of care in accordance with evidence based practice, providing individualised care to residents and their families respecting the choices, values, dignity and beliefs and ensuring that the residents live in a comfortable, clean and safe environment.”

The reply continued: “To ensure compliance with ‘Regulation 29 Medicines and Pharmaceutical Service,’ the Registered Provider and Person in Charge have reviewed the medication administration practices in the centre and are assured that the administration practices are compliant with NMBI guidelines.

“To ensure Compliance with ‘Regulation 9 Residents’ Rights,’ the Registered Provider and Person in Charge have completed a review of all social activities currently provided, to include the findings of the Residents Satisfaction Surveys with regard to activities.”

Melissa Kelly, Acting General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE Community Healthcare CH CDLMS said: “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person-centred services to the residents in Ballinamore Nursing Unit.”

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