Nursing home Covid-19 inspection numbers concerning
Labour Party member of the Covid-19 Response Committee, Duncan Smith TD, has said the fact that HIQA have not yet visited any nursing homes affected by Covid-19 outbreaks is concerning.
Deputy Smith said:
“It is clear from the engagements the Covid-19 Response Committee today, that there is a clear lack of clinical oversight of nursing homes by the Department of Health and the HSE.
“However, it was disappointing to learn from my questioning that HIQA have yet to visit any nursing homes that have been affected by Covid-19.
“While this current position is due to change, it is concerning that no inspections have been yet carried out in any nursing homes that have had high outbreaks of Covid-19.
“There has been significant calls for HIQA to carry out inspections in nursing homes such as Dealgan House in Louth and St.Mary’s in the Phoenix Park.
“It has been horrific to see such large numbers of nursing home residents contracting Covid-19 and indeed many dying since this virus landed on our shores. The fact that over 60% of Covid deaths in Ireland have been residents of nursing homes or residential care facilities is a massive blot on our society.”