'A sing-along, reminiscence, and a lively evening party' - Donegal nursing home passes HIQA inspection with flying colours

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published fifty inspection reports on residential centres for older people. Inspections were carried out between February 2024 and August 2024.

The Chief Inspector of Social Services has statutory responsibility for independently regulating designated centres for older people for compliance with the Health Act (2007) Regulations and the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (2016), to ensure that the people living in these services are safe and well cared for.

Of the fifty reports published, inspectors found evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards in a number of inspections. 

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One of these centres was Aras Mhic Shuibhne nursing home which was examined in terms of restrictive practice in the report and received an overall judgement of "compliant."

Three thematic inspection reports focusing on the use of restrictive practices were found to be compliant or substantially compliant with the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

A further eighteen centres were either fully compliant or substantially compliant with the regulations. In general, these centres were found to be meeting residents’ needs and delivering care in line with the national standards and regulations.

Three of the centres found to be either fully compliant or substantially compliant are based in Donegal. 

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The report was carried out by observing and speaking to the residents of Aras Mhic Shuibhne in Laghey, rural Co Donegal.

The residents' feedback was "very positive regarding their satisfaction with the level of care and service they received in this centre."

The centre comprises a single-storey building to accommodate forty eight residents who reside in a combination of single and twin bedrooms.

The report stated that this was "an unannounced, focused thematic inspection to review the use of restrictive practices in the centre. The inspector spoke with several residents during this inspection, and some residents commented that the centre was a nice place to live and that the staff were very supportive.

Residents all commented positively about the food provided to them and the live music sessions that were scheduled regularly at this centre for residents' enjoyment."

Additionally, the centre has a unit specifically dedicated to the care of residents with dementia.

The dementia unit has separate dining and living room accommodation to meet the needs of residents living there. 

The centre had a full-time activities coordinator who ensured that residents were actively involved in enjoyable and purposeful social activities that were in line with their individual interests and capabilities.

A social activity schedule was available, and residents were "encouraged to participate in the various social activities available on the day, including a sing-along, reminiscence, and a lively evening party."

The inspector also observed the residents' meal times and saw that residents were given the option to choose from a variety of dishes on the menu on the day of inspection.

Residents who spoke with the inspector said that they were satisfied with the menu choices offered and that their preferences regarding the food they ate was respected. There were sufficient staff available in the dining room to assist residents during their meal times.

There were no restrictions on residents' visitors, and the inspector observed that visitors were coming and going on the day of the inspection. The provider had arrangements in place for residents to meet with their visitors in private if they wished.

The inspector found that the provider together with staff were working towards reducing restrictive practices and promoting a restraint free environment in this centre.

There was effective governance and leadership in the centre, which support quality improvements with respect to restrictive practices, person-centred care, and promoting residents' rights.

Residents were supported to be active participants in the running of the centre.