HIQA chief executive says RTÉ Investigates documentary raised 'deeply concerning issues'
HIQA's chief executive is appearing before the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions on the findings of an RTÉ Investigates report.
The programme exposed serious care failures at two nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland, including staff misconduct and abuse allegations.
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HIQA has issued an official warning to the homes and is conducting extra inspections.
Speaking at the Committee, HIQA chief executive Angela Fitzgerald
said: "
At the outset, I want to express my thanks to the Committee for affording HIQA to speak about how we do our work and to address your specific questions for us about the issues aired on the recent RTÉ Investigates programme about a number of nursing homes run by the company Emeis Ireland.
"I am accompanied by the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector for Older Persons.
"Firstly, I would like to reiterate my deepest concerns about what we witnessed. The conduct of staff and the behaviours witnessed were wholly unacceptable in any circumstance.
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"I understand that the decision to place a loved one in long-term care is an incredibly difficult and emotional one.
"A nursing home is a place entrusted by families and the wider public to take care of our older citizens who have made their contribution to society and who have a right to be taken care of with dignity and respect.
"The programme raised several deeply concerning issues which we will address here today.
She said fundamentally what was witnessed constitutes a breach of basic human rights which can never be condoned.
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"HIQA's Chief Inspector is addressing these fundamental issues directly with the nursing homes and its parent company, Emeis Ireland, and is engaging in additional escalatory actions.
"These include conducting a number of unannounced inspections in both Firstcare Beneavin Manor and The Residence Portlaoise over the past two weeks, including during the early hours of the morning, late at night and during the day.
"The Chief Inspector requested an immediate meeting with senior officials from Emeis Ireland.
"The providers of the two nursing homes were issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration should they fail to implement significant improvements in the centres.
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"Emeis Ireland told us what immediate action they have taken, including restricting admissions in Beneavin Manor pending their assurance and ours that the services in these nursing homes are safe, disciplinary action with a number of staff and notifications to the gardaí.
She said they have sought immediate assurances on the other 23 homes that Emeis Ireland own ans said the Chief Inspector will be independently assessing these nursing homes through inspections, engagement with families and residents over the coming weeks.
"To fully inform our work, the Chief Inspector has requested the documents and footage held by RTÉ. Their Director General has confirmed that RTÉ will assist us in whatever way they can," she said.
Ms Fitzgerlad said they notified the gardaí about our concerns on the care deficits observed in the programme.
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"Our priority is the residents and their families and we have reached out directly to the residents in both facilities. It is essential that their voices are heard.
"We always do this as part of our process of inspection, but it is particularly important at this time.
"We understand and fully respect that they may have questions for us about our regulatory process, as well as sharing their personal experiences and it is vital that we listen and respond.
"Since this programme, our inspectors have spoken with a number of families and residents to hear about their experience. It is clear that Emeis Ireland has significant work to do.
"HIQA fully accepts that we also have work to do in relation to reviewing our regulatory process. We are fully committed to examining what we can learn from recent revelations, and we have commenced work in this regard,"
You watch the Oireachtas Health Committee as it happens down below.
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