Report finds Waterford care home ‘failed to protect residents from all forms of abuse’

A HIQA inspection report has said that a Waterford care home failed to protect its residents from “all forms of abuse.” 

The report results from an announced inspection of the Comeragh Support Residential Service, operated by the Brothers of Charity to determine the renewal of the centre’s registration.

However, the report said that could not be determined due to poor findings and deterioration since the last inspection in 2023.

The report author said: “This inspection found that the governance and management arrangements in place did not ensure a quality of service was provided at the centre.” 

The inspection took place over two days in August this year. The service supports up to five people with intellectual disabilities and comprises a detached bungalow and a smaller terraced apartment. Inspectors observed residents happily going about their activities and daily routines, and some were quite positive when speaking to inspectors.

However, some residents expressed concerns about their living conditions and other residents.

“One resident expressed how they were not happy living in the centre, and one mentioned behaviours in the house that made them worried," noted the report's author.

"Another resident stated that a peer resident in behaviour ‘they did not like.’ These statements were passed on to the provider by inspectors."

From a survey given before the inspection, the author said: “One resident stated: ‘It’s not a nice place to live because some other people shout and torment me.’ A resident stated they would prefer ‘not to live with friends who pull hair and hit.”

The inspectors noted incidents of residents entering others' rooms and taking belongings, and other safeguarding issues.

Incidents of inappropriate touching, “tormenting,” threats and verbal altercations were not properly reported or follow-ups carried out.    

Inspectors observed signs in one of the homes that said residents should not fight, mock or set things on fire.

A resident who was asked did not know what the signs referred to, but staff told inspectors they were “house rules.” 

NOT COMPLIANT

Overall, the centre was found to be non-compliant in all areas.

Inspectors found that some staff members required training, and refresher training in areas like safeguarding, administering medication and fire safety. Records were missing for others.

Rosters were not kept properly, sometimes filled in retrospectively from handover sheets.

While there were audits and visits to the centre, improvements were not always completed in the timeframes set out and management failed to identify areas for improvement.

PERSON IN CHARGE

Examination of documents found that people in charge and those in management were not present enough.

Documents showed the person assigned as 'in charge' had only visited the centre 12 times in 2024 and was present an additional four times to complete audits.

Some management had visited only five times in 2024, with three of those in January when a resident had passed away.

“The limited presence of the management team in the centre had resulted in poor oversight and management of day-to-day practices in the centre.

“Although it is acknowledged that the staff were working very diligently to support the residents to the best of their ability, the lack of written guidance, presence of management, sufficient oversight resulted in residents' lived experience being regularly impacted,” stated the report.

The report also found that incidents were not properly reported and there was no policy on restrictive practices.

This led to one incident of some of a resident's clothes being locked away.

There was also no policy covering restrictive procedures and physical, chemical and environmental restraints. Medication was found to be inappropriately stored, administered and records poorly maintained.

RISK AND PRIVACY

Inspectors said they were not assured that appropriate practices were in place about risk management. This included a broken epilepsy monitor and no risk assessment for epilepsy in place.

Some parts of the houses were not conducive to fire containment, and nighttime fire drills were not being carried out, nor had the evacuation plan been updated.

Inspectors noted personal information like financial assessments, personal letters and medical records inappropriately stored and in full view in the office.