Portlaoise nursing home apologises for shocking treatment of elderly residents
Admissions to the Portlaoise nursing home have been halted by HIQA
THE operators of a Portlaoise nursing home have issued an apology to elderly residents and their families, amid distress and anger over appalling treatment that was exposed in an programme last night.
Emeis Ireland, one of the country’s largest care providers, said that it ‘apologises unequivocally’ to all residents and their families for the ‘suffering and distress’ experienced at The Residence home on Harpur’s Lane.
The nursing home operator also admitted that the findings in the RTÉ programme were ‘deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable and entirely unacceptable’.
Undercover RTÉ reporters recorded distressing incidents at The Residence in Portlaoise and a Dublin nursing home, both run by the Emeis group.
Chronic staffing and equipment shortages were revealed in Portlaoise, where incontinence pads were rationed, residents were left soaking in urine and were moved in a rough manner without the obligatory hoists.
In particularly upsetting scenes at The Residence, a woman fell from her chair and was left lying helpless on a sitting room floor for some time, because no staff were available. In another disturbing incident, a woman with dementia was left crying out for help for a considerable time at night, because of a shortage of staff.
The three storey purpose-built nursing home at The Maltings, which opened less than two years ago, failed 10 regulations in a HIQA report last April and new admissions were suspended.
In a statement issued hours before the programme aired, the care providers said: ‘Emeis Ireland apologises unequivocally to all residents and their families, for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided.
‘We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times. These lapses fall short of the values and standards we set for ourselves as an organisation.
‘Emeis acknowledges the serious issues raised in relation to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. The findings are deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable and entirely unacceptable. We express our deep concern, as the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of residents in our care will always remain our foremost priority.
‘We have commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. We will not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect, nor any practices that compromise resident safety, rights or dignity.’
The statement continued: ‘We have issued clear guidance to all employees where required, reinforced through targeted training and enhanced supervision through best practice in individualised resident handling, continence management, and safeguarding. Additionally, we are reviewing the oversight and management of medical supplies and clinical practices across all Emeis nursing homes.
‘Assistance programmes for residents, families and staff are being established in response to the serious issues identified. We are committed to strengthening our culture of openness and accountability across all of our nursing homes. Staff, residents, families and members of the public have access to a confidential whistleblower portal through which concerns can be raised, without fear of reprisal.
‘All concerns are promptly investigated, reported to the appropriate regulatory authorities, and followed up with individualised safeguarding plans and strengthened oversight to mitigate the risk of recurrence.
‘Emeis Ireland is determined to take all necessary actions to restore trust, ensure accountability, and drive meaningful, lasting improvements in the quality of care we provide.’
