HIQA finds St Joseph’s Community Hospital non compliant with fire precautions

While residents in St Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar reported feeling comfortable, safe and cared for, HIQA inspectors noted a number of areas of non compliance. 

These included fire precautions and residents’ rights. 

An announced inspection of the HSE-owned facility took place on January 9 at the facility which provides 24 hour nursing care in three distinct areas. Barnes View can accommodate up to 24 residents requiring long term care, Woodville is a dementia care unit for 19 residents, and Finn View has 20 beds for residents needing short term care assessment, rehabilitation, convalescence and respite care.

There were 60 residents present when two HIQA inspectors visited. 

According to HIQA: “Inspectors observed that residents were mostly supported by staff to make independent choices about their daily lives and to enjoy a good quality of life in the centre.”

Questionnaires had been provided to residents ahead of the inspection.  

“Residents' feedback in the questionnaires was mostly positive and all residents confirmed they were comfortable, felt safe in the centre and that their care needs were met,” reported HIQA.

Most were satisfied with food, accommodation and social activities, though there were suggestions for improved decor in the Woodville unit, and a more community integration approach to activities. 

The inspectors observed that residents in each of the units were independently or getting support from staff to start their day, and individual choices were accommodated.

Residents and staff were seen to be comfortable in each other's company. 

“Staff interactions with residents throughout the inspection were observed to be warm, kind and caring,” the inspectors reported.

“Staff were observed to be attentive to residents' needs.

“Residents told the inspector that they would talk to various members of the staff or to their family, if they were worried about anything or were not satisfied with any aspect of the service. Residents said they were listened to and although most residents said they found no reason to complain about any aspect of the service, they were confident that any issues they raised would be addressed without delay.”

However, inspectors reported a number of concerns with fire precautions. 

These included oxygen cylinders being stored in clinical rooms containing potentially combustible materials in Barnes View and Finn View Units. 

The report continued: “Effective containment of fire and smoke in the event of a fire in the centre was not assured.”

This included cupboard and storage rooms not being intact, some fire doors not meeting specifications, a one section of a cross corridor door en route to a final fire exit not able to be opened due to a bolt not being operational. 

It was found that the provider had not ensured that effective fire stopping was in place around a number of service penetrations including plumbing, electrical, gas, or telecommunication pipes, wires, and cables. And directional signage was not in place to the external fire assembly point from Barnes View Unit. 

Other areas in which the facility was found to be Not Compliant was in upholding residents’ rights. 

According to the report: “A number of residents' privacy needs could not be met in three bedrooms with four beds in each as the privacy curtains surrounding the residents' bed spaces in these shared bedrooms could not be fully closed due to the location of the ceiling hoist units. This meant that these residents could not carry out personal activities in private.”

St Joseph’s Community Hospital was found to be Compliant in regulations on Persons in Charge, Staffing, Training and Staff Development, Records, Insurance, Contract for the Provision of Services, Notification of Incidents, Written Policies and Procedures, Communication Difficulties, Visits, Health care, and Protection.

It was Substantially Compliant in areas of Personal possessions, Individual Assessment and Care Plan, and Managing Behaviour That is Challenging.

It was deemed Not Compliant in Governance and management, Premises, Fire precautions, and Residents' Rights.

HSE Response
The HSE has responded to the report, saying thatto ensure privacy and dignity the cubicle toilets have been upgraded to create one large accessible toilet for resident use.

A phased plan of Fire upgrade works has commenced in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, with works expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

An updated compliance plan was submitted to HIQA on on April 2024, providing further assurances in relation to a number of regulations.

Melissa Kelly, Acting General Manager for Older Persons Services HSE CH CDLMS said: “The HSE will continue to work to ensure the delivery of high quality, person centered services to the residents in St Joseph’s Community Hospital.”