Latest news with #RTÉInvestigates
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inspector who cleared nursing home with abuse allegations worked on same campus
The 'lead' HIQA inspector who cleared controversial Beneavin Manor twice last year, despite almost 200 notifications of alleged abuse, worked in a sister nursing home on the same campus for two years, the Irish Mirror can reveal. In a lengthy statement, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) denied any wrongdoing, saying that the nursing home had changed ownership between the time the person worked there and the completion of the inspections. Beneavin Manor and The Residence in Portlaoise, Co Laois, were featured in an RTÉ Investigates documentary earlier this month. The homes, which are run by Emeis Ireland, were widely criticised after the undercover footage of residents crying out for help, being left in soiled clothes, and being incorrectly handled. An interim report from HIQA, published on Tuesday evening, revealed that there have been 198 notifications regarding suspected or confirmed allegations of abuse to residents in Beneavin Manor between January 2022 and June 2025. The Irish Mirror can now reveal that a HIQA inspector who used to work in Beneavin House was involved in two inspections at Beneavin Manor last year, which found that the nursing home was mostly compliant. Beneavin House, Beneavin Manor and Beneavin Lodge are all situated directly beside each other in Glasnevin. All are now owned by Emeis. The inspector is listed as the 'lead' inspector in two inspections at Firstcare Beneavin Manor on May 15 2024 and November 7 2024. The May report found that Beneavin Manor was 'compliant' or 'substantially compliant' under most regulations. However, it was found non-compliant with three regulations, including governance and management, contracts for the provision of services, and food and nutrition. The November report noted they were 'compliant' and 'substantially compliant' on all regulations. According to LinkedIn, the person listed as the lead inspector on both reports worked as a Clinical Nurse Manager at Beneavin House Nursing Home between June 2015 and June 2017. They then worked as director of nursing in two other nursing homes before moving to HIQA to become an inspector in September 2020. In a lengthy statement, HIQA stated that the nursing home had changed ownership and the inspector had never worked for Beneavin House under the new ownership. A spokesperson said that HIQA has a conflict of interest policy and 'inspectors of social services employed to inspect nursing homes have often worked in nursing homes in the public or private sector or a combination of both' and that a 'key requirement of any applicant for a job as an inspector is at least three years' experience working in a supervisory or management position in a health or social care service, regulatory, or other setting deemed relevant by the Authority'. They continued: '[Name] commenced work as an inspector of social services in September 2020. 'As is standard practice and in line with our conflict of interest policy, she was not required to inspect or to have regulatory oversight of those centres where she worked previously. 'As [she] was employed by Beneavin House Ltd, (the then owner of Beneavin House between 2015 and 2017), this centre and the other Beneavin Centres were not included in [her] caseload at that time. 'Given the passage of time and the change in ownership of the nursing homes in 2024, the issue of a conflict of interest was discussed again by [name] and her line manager with both satisfied that there was no longer any conflict of interest or any reason why [she] would not inspect First Care Beneavin Manor or the First Care Beneavin Lodge. 'She has not inspected First Care Beneavin House, the centre where she used to work. 'To be clear, [she] has never worked for Firstcare Beneavin House Ltd, the company that currently owns First Care Beneavin House, which was acquired by Emeis in 2024. 'In addition, [she] has not worked in Beneavin Manor or been employed by Firstcare Beneavin Manor Ltd. '[She] has never been employed by Emeis or any of the companies that are owned or operated by Emeis.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Martin says ‘no issue' with bigger fines for nursing homes as HIQA in new powers & ‘change catalyst' call after RTE doc
IRELAND'S health watchdog does not have the power to tackle or punish big businesses that have taken over Ireland's nursing home industry, HIQA bosses confessed today. It comes as officials issued a grovelling apology over the failings that saw residents being abused and neglected in two homes that were exposed by an Advertisement 3 Beneavin Manor featured in a bombshell RTE expose Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 3 Footage from the doc revealed neglect of patients Credit: RTÉ Investigates Both of these homes have since been hit with warnings that they could be closed down if improvements are not made with gardai also called in to investigate incidents covered in the exposé. And today Taoiseach He also said that closures have to be used as 'a real consequence' for some nursing homes that are neglecting residents. The Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS The documentary revealed The Oireachtas Health Committee today heard that 198 allegations of abuse of residents had been made in relation to Beneavin Manor while 40 allegations of abuse were made in the Residence in Portlaoise since 2023. The health watchdog HIQA told TDs and Senators that both homes have been issued warnings that they could have their registration cancelled if drastic improvements are not made. The company – Emeis Ireland – owns 23 more nursing homes in Ireland with HIQA launching new inspections in each of these facilities following the RTE exposé. Advertisement Most read in Irish News HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald issued a grovelling apology to the public over the nursing home scandal following criticism that the watchdog had previously signed off on the homes. She said: 'The recent RTÉ Investigates, was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by HIQA as the regulator. LACK OF POWER 'What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels. 'I want to assure you that we have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of residents and will continue to do so.' Advertisement The HIQA boss also revealed to TDs and Senators that the State's watchdog does not have the power to fine or punish big businesses that are now running our nursing home sector. Some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are now owned by private companies – an increase from 30 per cent just 20 years ago. Just 15 large companies are in charge of 10,000 spaces for people in nursing homes in Ireland. While HIQA does have the power to close down a nursing home, the watchdog does not have the power to go after the businesses that own the homes. Advertisement 'SYSTEM NOT WORKING' HIQA told the Oireachtas Health Committee that they would need to be given extra powers from the Government in order to go after businesses with fines. The Dublin TD claimed the 'State walked away' and allowed a 'corporate takeover' of the care of older people in Ireland. She said the 'system is not working' if 198 complaints can be made against a nursing home but there is no accountability until RTE's undercover reporters show up. Advertisement 3 Health Information and Quality Authority Chief Executive Angela Fitzgerald Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Minister ‘has concerns' over nursing-home sector's increasing privatisation
Minister of State for older people Kieran O'Donnell said he has 'concerns' about the increasing privatisation of the nursing home sector, particularly in light of recent allegations of elder abuse and neglect at two centres. The Minister appeared before the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday, after a programme by RTÉ Investigates highlighted instances of alleged abuse at Beneavin House, Dublin, and The Residence, Portlaoise. Both homes are run by Emeis, the largest provider of private nursing home beds in the State. The programme included footage of frail, older people, some of whom had dementia, allegedly being manhandled, 'forced' down into chairs, being left in chairs for hours, being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked and being ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet. Speaking to politicians, Mr O'Donnell said some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are privately run, adding: 'I would have concerns around the growth in the groups area.' READ MORE The Minister said the department commissioned a European body to look at the increased group ownership of nursing homes, and the potential risks of this both financially and in the case of quality of care. That report is due in September, he said, adding it will be 'considered greatly'. The Minister also revealed his officials have informed him of 'notifiable incidents' in two other nursing homes, one of which involved the gardaí. 'They were very serious incidents,' he said. In light of the issues highlighted in the Emeis-run homes, the Minister said it is his hope to bring forward safeguarding legislation 'as a matter of urgency'. Speaking at the same meeting, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), which regulates the nursing home sector, said it has a number of levers to ensure compliance with the regulations, with the cancellation of a registration being a 'nuclear option'. Last year, the HSE took over six nursing homes that were operated by private entities. Furthermore, the regulator said 95 homes have additional conditions attached to their registration as of June 5th. These conditions can relate to a number of things, including staffing levels, specific care procedures or the number of residents a centre can accommodate. It added that due to the 'changing landscape' of increased corporatisation, there is a need to change the regulatory framework. Angela Fitzgerald, chief executive of Hiqa, said under the current system the body can only direct individual providers to do something and it does not have 'powers' to direct corporate companies. 'We work on the basis of co-operation,' she said, calling for Hiqa's regulatory powers to be increased in this area. In a statement following the broadcast, Emeis Ireland apologised 'unequivocally' to all residents and their families. 'We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times,' the company said. A report by Hiqa on Emeis-run nursing homes is due by the end of this week.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Hiqa asks RTÉ for all nursing home documentary footage
RTÉ has said it will not hand over non-broadcast footage to The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) without a statutory obligation or legal order. Hiqa said it has asked the national broadcaster to provide all footage it captured in the making of an RTÉ Investigates documentary into standards of care at two nursing homes. Advertisement The programme highlighted serious issues at two centres – The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin – which have been acknowledged as 'wholly unjustifiable' by Emeis Ireland. Hiqa, which is responsible for inspecting nursing homes, said it had notified gardai about its concerns arising from the programme. The authority's chief executive, Angela Fitzgerald, told the Health Committee on Wednesday: 'We've also asked RTÉ to give us all of the footage because they have, maybe, more information than we currently have. 'We also need to be able to see it, because we need to make sure that every resident, not just the ones that were on the screen, are safe. Advertisement 'And they have agreed to cooperate with us and hopefully they will be able to provide the information we need.' In her written submission to the same committee, Ms Fitzgerald said that RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst confirmed that the broadcaster 'will assist us in whatever way they can'. Asked about the comments, a spokeswoman for RTÉ confirmed it was engaging with Hiqa – which is due to request a meeting with the documentary team. However, she said: 'Any assistance provided by RTÉ will be referenced by our own guidelines, safeguards, protocols and procedures. Advertisement 'RTÉ does not hand non-broadcast footage to third parties without a statutory obligation or legal order.' She added: 'Hiqa have now confirmed they have referred incidents evidenced in the RTÉ programme to An Garda Síochána.'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Garda probe launched into alleged 'assault' of nursing home resident following report
Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault at a nursing home run by controversial provider Emeis Ireland on the foot of complaints from an unidentified resident's family, can reveal. Watchdog Hiqa has also referred concerns over the standard of care being provided in Emeis nursing homes to An Garda Síochána, which could result in further investigations into the company. It comes after revelations in an RTÉ Investigates programme about two nursing homes – Beneavin Manor in Dublin and The Residence Portlaoise – both run by the for-profit company. Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin, Co Dublin. PIC Sam Boal/Collins Photos A Garda spokeswoman confirmed to yesterday that the force is investigating an alleged assault at one of Emeis Ireland's homes following 'complaints received from a family relative of an older person'. It is understood that the resident in question is located in one of the two facilities featured in the RTÉ documentary. also understands that gardaí examined whether potential law breaches had occurred before launching a full investigation. 'An Garda Síochána has already started an investigation into alleged assault following complaints received from a family relative of an older person,' a spokeswoman said. Pic: RTÉ Hiqa will today tell members of the Oireachtas Health Committee that staff working in facilities operated by Emeis, which were the subject of the damning RTÉ documentary, knowingly ignored proper standards of care. 'It was clear that staff knew what they should do but were not doing it,' Hiqa chief Angela Fitzgerald will tell the committee today. Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea, operates over 25 nursing homes across Ireland. The documentary shows staff at the nursing homes aggressively manhandling residents, leaving them dressed in inappropriate incontinence wear, leaving them unchanged for hours at a time, and being discovered in wet clothing after they had wet themselves. anaiste Simon Harris speaking to the media. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Revelations have elicited emotive responses from families and criticism from politicians. They have also raised questions over the effectiveness of Hiqa in regulating the nursing home sector. Senior Government figures, including Tánaiste Simon Harris, have previously called for the treatment of older people in the care of two Emeis facilities to be investigated by gardaí. Asked about concerns flagged by Hiqa, the Garda spokeswoman added: 'When a referral is made to An Garda Síochána on such a matter, it is first examined to establish if there is a potential breach(es) of the law that can be investigated.' HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Hiqa chief Ms Fitzgerald will say today that the way staff treated residents in the two Emeis facilities 'constitutes a breach of basic human rights which can never be condoned'. 'The conduct of staff and the behaviours witnessed were wholly unacceptable in any circumstance,' she will say. 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 Residence, Portlaoise. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/© She will tell TDs that Hiqa has conducted unannounced inspections in Beneavin Manor and The Residence, Portlaoise, over the past two weeks. Emeis has been issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration should it fail to implement significant improvements, while the other 23 homes operated by the firm will also be assessed. Hiqa has also notified the gardaí about 'our concerns on the care deficits observed' in the RTÉ programme. understands that the watchdog has yet to receive any confirmation that their concerns are being investigated. Ms Fitzgerald will tell TDs that 'immature management systems' and 'a poor culture that resulted in entirely unacceptable practices' drove the 'wholly unacceptable' level of care delivered in the two nursing homes. 'It was clear staff knew what they should do but were not doing it,' Ms Fitzgerald will say, noting that 'cultural factors may not be readily visible on inspection or by families'. Hiqa has committed to reviewing its mechanisms and processes for identifying potential poor culture, the watchdog's boss will add. 'The recent RTÉ Investigates was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by Hiqa as the regulator,' Ms Fitzgerald will say. 'What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels.' Minister for Older People Kieran O'Donnell will also appear before the Health Committee today. The Fine Gael TD has already been furnished with an interim report into Hiqa's investigation into all nursing homes operated by Emeis, which will likely be the subject of scrutiny at the committee hearing. Reacting to RTÉ's exposé, Mr O'Donnell described care provided to Emeis residents as 'extremely distressing' and 'wholly unacceptable'. The Garda investigation comes after Tánaiste Simon Harris last week urged a referral be made to gardaí, 'because what I saw with my own two eyes, the haunting scenes of people being, in my view, physically assaulted in their home…' Emeis Ireland did not respond to a request for comment, but previously apologised to all residents and their families.
