There is anger and outrage tonight following the airing of an episode of RTE Investigates which featured a Laois nursing home.
RTE reporters went undercover at The Residence in Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin – both of which are owned by the company Emeis.
Throughout the programme, various incidents of staffing and equipment shortages left to residents being left neglected.
Footage showed incidents where residents were allowed to fall from chairs, wet themselves, moved about incorrectly and in a rough manner, and left in bed all day.
The entire programme was utterly harrowing and Laois politicians have called for immediate action.
Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack said she is “shocked and appalled” by the revelations.
She said: “What I witnessed tonight is beyond disgraceful. To see elderly people, some of the most vulnerable in our society, being left without even the most basic care – no towels, no gloves, no dignity – is horrifying.
“An elderly man being pushed into a chair like that should shake this government to its core.
“The Residence in Portlaoise is part of the largest private provider of nursing home care in the country. This raises deeply concerning questions about oversight, standards, and regulation.
“We cannot continue to rely on HIQA alone. Sinn Féin has long called for adult safeguarding legislation, mandatory reporting of abuse, and a legal right of entry for social care teams to investigate complaints. Tonight’s programme proves just how critical those reforms are.
“Successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have facilitated the privatisation of elder care, and this is the result.
“When profit is prioritised over people, it is our most vulnerable who pay the price, in this instance our older generations.
“I will continue to use my voice in the Seanad and beyond to demand justice, accountability and a care system that values and protects every single person.”
While Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming has called for higher and better standards of care by providers in nursing homes in Ireland.
He said: “I want to thank RTE Investigates for highlighting serious shortcomings in the quality of care and management in two nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland: Residence in Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor, Glasnevin.
“I am calling on HIQA to immediately step up in regard to overseeing the management of nursing home providers to ensure adequate care and safety of all residents.
“There are many elderly people in these nursing homes and it is vital that they get a proper service at all times.
“Poor care, mistreatment, neglect or any other forms of abuse of any person in these long-term residential care centres is completely unacceptable. We must do all we can to protect them.”
Deputy Fleming stated the highest standards of care is the least that should be provided to residents in long-term residential centres, and anything less than that is unacceptable.
He said: “The welfare of the residents and their families is at the forefront of my thinking. I call on providers to ensure that proper safeguarding, equipment, and supports are in place to prevent awful mistreatment like this from happening again.
“I am very conscious of the impact of tonight’s broadcast will have on residents, their families and staff of the nursing homes in the broadcast and the residents, their families and staff of other nursing homes and I wish to acknowledge the committed, compassionate and dedicated care staff and providers operating in nursing homes across Ireland.
“I would encourage any resident or family member who has any concerns in relation to the care of a resident or relative to contact HIQA by email at concerns@HIQA.ie or by telephone at 021 240 9646,” he concluded.
SEE ALSO – Full list of properties sold in Laois during April as average house prices begin to drop
