Galway Bay fm newsroom - A surprise inspection of a HSE run Community Nursing Unit in Clifden has revealed major non-compliance with health and safety standards.
It follows a visit by the Health Information and Quality Authority to St Annes Community Nursing Unit on the Westport Road in October.
St. Anne's Community Nursing Unit in Clifden is a two story building registered to accomodate 24 residents.
HIQA's unannounced inspection of the facility in October was carried out to check progress on actions from a previous inspection and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
However, the two day visit conducted on the 11th and 12th of the month uncovered six serious issues of non-compliance.
Two of these are classed as 'major' breaches - Safe and Suitable Premises and Governance and Management.
Four other areas are classed as 'moderate' breaches of regulations - Health and Safety Risk Management, Health and Social Care Needs, Documentation and Suitable Staffing.
The report reveals that staff members spoken to during the course of the inspection stated they did not have adequate staff to meet the needs of residents.
It also concluded that despite being highlighted in a previous report, no renovations have taken place to improve facilities for residents residing in multi-occupancy bedrooms.
It notes that residents in one five bed space have no access to toilet facilities within the room - a situation which falls short of national standards on independence, privacy and dignity.
Other issues raised during the course of the inspection include cramped conditions, insufficient resources to ensure effective delivery of care plans, insufficient documentation of resident deaths and inadequate fire drill records.
In response to the findings on multi-room provision and cramped conditions, the provider notes that there are plans underway for a modular 50 bed unit with an estimated delivery date of December 2021.
