Two complaints about alleged abuse at HSE-run nursing home not investigated, Hiqa finds

Two complaints about alleged abuse at a HSE-run nursing home in Dublin were not investigated, an independent inspection by the health watchdog has found.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) on Thursday published a report into Cherry Orchard Hospital in Ballyfermot, which highlighted a number of areas of noncompliance.
According to the inspector, the provider “failed to recognise and respond appropriately to two allegations of abuse received via the complaint process”.
“As a result, there was no investigation into these allegations and no assurance that the concerns raised were managed according to the centre’s safeguarding policy, or that appropriate protections were put in place in respect of two residents,” it added.
The report also highlighted a risk of financial abuse, with the inspector stating the financial arrangements for residents who had died in the centre were “not adequate”.
“Money was left unaccounted for, and inspectors were not assured that appropriate arrangements had been made to inform the residents’ estate or representatives,” it added.
The watchdog raised concerns with regard to the rights of residents being upheld, particularly in relation to the right to exercise choice. “For example, access to communal facilities such as assisted toilets or visitors room was restricted in some of the units. In the absence of an individualised risk assessment, all residents in Willow and Sycamore units were served breakfast in plastic crockery,” it said.
Furthermore, there were also safety concerns highlighted as emergency call bell cords were tied up high in some of the communal toilets, meaning there was a risk a resident would be unable to reach them.
The HSE outlined a number of steps it would take to come into compliance with the regulations, including that it had referred to the chief inspector the allegations of abuse which were then completed and closed out.
Overall, residents were positive and content about their experience in the home, paying particular tribute to the impact of staff’s kindness on their wellbeing.
The report was one of 50 inspections of centres for older people that were published by Hiqa on Thursday. Inspections were carried out between July 2024 and September 2024.
Of the 50 reports published, inspectors found evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards in a number of inspections. A further 20 centres were either fully compliant or substantially compliant with the regulations.
Levels of noncompliance varied in the remaining inspection reports, with 19 centres non-compliant with three regulations or less, and four centres non-compliant with four or more regulations.