HIQA praises Galway’s new nursing home

Galway’s newest public nursing home has been praised by independent assessors following its inaugural inspection.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found St Brendan’s Community Nursing Unit in Ballinasloe was almost fully compliant with its obligations under health acts. It is a purpose built residential centre with some 50 spaces, and the HSE has applied to register 25 of these beds on the first floor.

HIQA inspectors found that the Health Service Executive (HSE) run nursing home had a good compliance level in almost all areas inspected.

On the day of inspection, which was an announced visit, there were some 15 short-stay residents living in the centre and under the care of the local hospital.

The average length of stay for these residents is two to four weeks but the HSE is planning to provide long-stay, convalescent and respite care residents.

Residents and relatives of residents were questioned and interviewed as part of the inspection and they were “positive in the feedback and expressed satisfaction about the facilities, services and care provided”, the HIQA report noted.

During the visit, inspectors observed practices and reviewed documentation such as care plans, medical records, policies and procedures and staff files.

“The inspectors found that overall residents’ health care needs were well supported with good access to allied health professionals. Staff were knowledgeable with regard to the care to be provided to residents to meet their needs and described a holistic care regime which was person centred.

“There was good clinical governance in the centre and management described support structures for staff which included staff training, supervision, an induction period, on call support, regular meetings and a comprehensive review and auditing system. Medication management practices were found to be compliant and mandatory training was up to date for all staff,” the report said.

The nursing home agreed to take certain actions to become fully compliant, including installing a call bell in the smoking section, and undertaking fire drills and updating evacuation plans.