Laois nursing unit gets glowing HIQA report 

A MOUNTMELLICK nursing unit received a glowing report from HIQA this week, following an unannounced inspection.

The report published on Monday 23 June shows that St Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, which is run by the HSE, complied with all regulations when it was inspected on 6 March 2025.

Out of 12 regulations, the 57-bed facility was compliant with nine and substantially compliant with three, with only a small number of issues raised by the inspector. There were 55 residents at the time of the inspection, which lasted from 10am-6.30pm.

The five-ward centre, which has a large number of elderly residents, cares for men and women aged over 18 with continuing care, dementia and palliative care needs.

During a lengthy report, HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) states: ‘The inspector found that residents living in this centre were well cared for and supported to live a good quality of life, by a dedicated team of staff who knew them well.

‘Residents described the centre as ‘a home from home’ and felt that staff were kind and attentive to their needs. Staff were observed to deliver care and support to residents which was person-centred and respectful. The inspector observed that staff were kind, patient and very attentive to residents’ needs.

‘While staff were seen to be busy, they were observed to respond to residents' requests for assistance promptly and in an unhurried manner. The communal room on each unit was supervised at all times, with staff in attendance to respond to any requests. Staff who spoke with the inspector were very knowledgeable about residents and their needs.’ 

The report also notes that personal care was to ‘a very good standard’ and there was a pleasant atmosphere, with friendly and familiar chats between residents, visitors and staff. Residents spoke positively about living in the centre and said staff respected their choices and treated them with dignity and respect.

The report describes the centre as ‘embedded in the community’, with residents facilitated and encouraged to attend local events such as the panto last February, as well as weekly shopping trips and scenic drives. Fundraising group The Friends of St Vincent’s supports residents’ requests and outings.

Among the few negatives in the report are a finding that records of safety checks for residents with complex care needs were not always maintained in line with the residents’ care plan.

At the time, care plans were also ‘not reviewed or updated’ when a resident's condition changed. The report gives the example of a resident whose care plan was not reviewed or updated following unintentional weight loss, ‘which posed a risk to their nutritional care and support needs’.

The full report is available on the HIQA website at hiqa.ie.