‘Families need to know their loved ones are safe’: Kilkenny Senator concerned by nursing home HIQA report

Social Democrat Senator Patricia Stephenson has voiced alarm following last week’s damning Health Information and Quality Information (HIQA) report of Tinnypark Nursing Home.

The nursing home was found to be non-compliant in 10 out of 16 areas of review, and compliant in just one as serious issues in staffing, hygiene and safety were identified over the two days inspection.

“This report shows how fragile our care system has become,” Senator Stephenson said. “Families need to know their loved ones are safe, respected and properly cared for. Staff are doing their best, but the system is letting them down.”

The Senator called for the State to take direct responsibility for nursing home care: “Care should not be treated as a business, but as a public service delivered to the highest standards.”

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“We need a publicly run system that would ensure proper training, leadership and accountability and would see that staff are valued with fair pay and decent working conditions to reduce high turnover and provide continuity of care.”

“Nationalising care would give residents security, families peace of mind and staff the support they need. Dignity in care must be guaranteed and not left to chance,” she concluded.

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