It’s not too often you have members of Laois County Council in full agreement – but the recent revelations exposed by RTE Investigates on The Residence Nursing Home in Portlaoise isn’t a normal situation.
Incidences of abuse and neglect were shown in graphic detail on the recent RTE Investigates programme and it was a topic that got understandably got considerable airtime at this week’s meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.
Both Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley and Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald had related motions with Cllr Dwane-Stanley calling for HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) and the HSE (Health Service Executive) to “immediately meet with local elected representatives” to address the “appalling treatment of residents”.
Cllr Fitzgerald, in one of her motions, has asked the council to request the HSE to build a new public nursing home on the grounds of St Fintan’s Hospital.
“What we saw was terrifying, heartbreaking,” said Cllr Dwane-Stanley as she began her contribution. “It’s amazing that over €1 billion of tax payer’s money is going to private nursing homes.
“81% of nursing homes are now being run as profit-making, private enterprises. The well-being and safety of the patients should be the priority. But it’s not.”
Referencing her own dealings with local people who had family members in The Residence, she cited examples of one patient who had pneumonia three times in 12 months – and another who suffered from malnutrition.
She also drew attention to the €1,200 weekly fees as well as the considerable add-ons ranging from specific mattresses to TV packages – as well as costs of attending hospital appointments.
“A private taxi to Tullamore hospital is €140. If a staff member attends with them it is €20 an hour. If a nurse attends with them it’s €40 an hour. We all know what it’s like in hospitals – you could be there hours on end.”
“I have no confidence in HIQA … the state-run facilities are second to none, the likes of Mountmellick and Shaen locally.
“Every one of these services should be expanded. We should not be farming out these services to private operators.
“I hope HIQA and the HSE have the guts to come in and face the public representatives here.”
“We’re all in agreement that what we saw was distressing and harrowing,” added Cllr Fitzgerald.
“Deputies Willie Aird and Sean Fleming have arranged an online meeting with HIQA but I’d prefer if we could meet them in person.
“We have so many questions … it seems they didn’t want to know what problems were there.”
Cllr Fitzgerald added that with a growing and ageing population, “a lot of people need nursing care but it’s not that easy just to say come home”.
“This has put the fear of god in so many people.”
“I had a feeling of revulsion watching it,” said Cllr Marie Tuohy, who added that “people who care for loved ones at home need to be treated and paid with respect and provided with the support that they need”.
“You couldn’t not be disgusted watching that and the lack of kindness.
“We don’t need platitudes from HIQA.”
“It’s shameful that 20 years on from Leas Cross that this is still happening,” said Cllr Tommy Mulligan.
“This was done over 18 months and what we saw was just the snapshots. HIQA are culpable here. Care workers get the brunt of it but management are over the care workers.
“We want HIQA and the HSE in here and possibly even the Minister for Health. This is not acceptable at all.”
“It was heart-wrenching it,” said Cllr John Joe Fennelly. “To think that 10 or 12 years ago they tried to close Abbeyleix. There are now 20 or 22 patients in Abbeyleix – some are in respite, some are in step down care.
“I agree with Marie. We need to care properly for people at home.”
“To think that someone who had worked hard all their life and contributed to society could be treated like that,” said Cllr Barry Walsh.
“Some will say they are understaffed but that is not acceptable.”
“Horrifying to watch,” said Cllr Paddy Buggy. “It does remind you of the great care in the likes of Shaen and Mountmellick and I’d like to see these expanded.”
In Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald’s motion, she said a campaign needs to be started to have a public nursing home built on the grounds of St Fintan’s in Portlaoise.
“I’m not opposed to private nursing homes. My own mother was in Ballard and got exceptional, exceptional care. People should always have a choice.
“St Fintan’s is zoned for health and I’d be opposed to any other zoning there.
“This is an ideal site for a nursing home, a lovely setting.”
“Nothing else should go on this land only a nursing home,” agreed Cllr John Joe Fennelly.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan was largely supportive if it could be accommodated on that site without losing the area as a public, community space.
“I agree with a public nursing home. When you put profit over care, it doesn’t work out well.”
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