Lack of resources for Castlepollard disability centre highlighted by HIQA yet again – Troy

Published on: 02 April 2015


Fianna Fáil TD for Longford – Westmeath has said that a recent HIQA report on the St. Peter’s Care Home in Castlepollard shows that disability centres remain under-resourced.

Deputy Troy made the comments after St. Peter’s Care Home was forced to cease admissions and transfer patients due to the critical report which identified key failings at management level.

“The latest HIQA report into the performance of St. Peter’s Care Home in Castlepollard is a further blow to patients, staff, relatives and the local community. It demonstrates that disability centres remain under-resourced.

The staff at the centre has been doing an exceptional job under very difficult circumstances, but they feel let down by the HSE because they are simply not getting the support they need. The latest HIQA report clearly demonstrates that this is the case. HIQA identified 36 breaches of care regulations including weak governance systems, lack of training for staff members and an absence of appropriate supports for residents.

“It is unreasonable for the Government to expect staff at St. Peter’s Care Home to be able to provide top quality care at all times when they themselves are not given sufficient resourcing. The local community has always had great faith in the staff working at the disability centre but it is clear that they are being let down by HSE management.

Deputy Troy called on the Government to identify best practice and draw up a detailed plan for the operation and resourcing of disability centres.

“It remains unclear as to what steps the Government plans to take to address the issue of under resourcing in disability centres. The Government must take action now to resolve the issue rather than waiting for the next critical report from HIQA to emerge. Patients must get the level of high quality care and support that they deserve.

“The Government needs to put in place extensive guidelines to support the staff and management in struggling disability centres. This can be achieved by examining centres that score well in HIQA inspections and identifying what the best practice is for caring for patients and managing the disability centres. The Government must do this without delay.”

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