Two designated care centres in Sligo and Donegal have registered a number of non-compliances following unannounced inspections.
According to the latest HIQA report, Bailey’s Nursing Home in Tubbercurry received an inspector on September 12th, and Donegal Community Hospital in Donegal Town was inspected on May 8th.
Across 18 separate regulations, Bailey’s Nursing Home was found to be not-compliant in four, and substantially compliant in two.
The non-compliance included personal possessions, premises, residents’ rights, and governance and management.
The inspector cited an instance of rights being infringed upon where in a twin bedroom, one resident could not use the wash basin privately without entering the other resident’s bedspace.
While in the Donegal Community Hospital, across 14 regulations, the centre was found to be non-compliant in seven, and substantially complaint in two.
The non-compliance included governance and management, personal possessions, premises, infection control, individual assessment and care plan, residents’ rights, and medicines and pharmaceutical services.
One example highlighted was that there was insufficient shelving space available for residents in some four-bedded rooms to store their personal belongings, such as photographs.
A compliance plan was given to the centres after the inspection, on what action would be needed to address the situation.
================
The HSE has released the following statement in relation to the HIQA inspection at Donegal Community Hospital:
"Donegal Community Hospital is a 29 bedded short stay unit providing Assessment, Respite, Palliative, and Rehab services to South Donegal.
"As the hospital is for short stay patients it doesn’t include a residential long term care facility.
"The HIQA inspection took place on May 8th 2024 and the report was published on the HIQA website on January 31st 2025.
"The Inspector observed that the Nursing and Healthcare provided to residents was of good quality and feedback from residents was positive. Residents reported that the felt safe within the centre and staff were kind and pleasant.
"On the day of inspection 14 Regulations were reviewed with 4 being compliant, 2 substantially compliant and 7 Regulations were noted to be non-compliant.
"Additional refurbishment work is due to commence in February as to ensure compliance with Infection Prevention and Control standards.
"All care plans have been reviewed and a Social Care Activities Programme has been developed to meet the resident’s needs. The activities schedule is now provided for seven days per week.
"Melissa Kelly, Acting General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE Community Services, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person centered services to the residents in Donegal Community Hospital.”"
