Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I also acknowledge and thank him for his constant advocacy on behalf of the residents, families and staff of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home in the past few weeks. I am deeply concerned to learn that HIQA had to cancel the registration of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home. Following concerns for the care and welfare of residents, the chief inspector of HIQA has taken action to cancel its registration as a care provider. That happened on 17 May. The HSE is liaising with Lucan Lodge. HIQA and the HSE have taken interim charge of the nursing home since Friday, 17 May. The HSE will act as the interim registered provider to support residents and their families during this time.

As the Deputy knows, the HSE will always support families in a situation where a private nursing home is no longer able or willing to provide care under the nursing homes support scheme, or fair deal, to a loved one. HSE staff have completed an initial assessment process regarding the clinical care of residents. HIQA inspections at Lucan Lodge in the last while uncovered significant issues, including that the registered provider did not ensure that a safe and appropriate premises was provided in line with its conditions of registration, and did not ensure that the centre was appropriately resourced to ensure appropriate care delivery in line with residents’ assessed needs.

When the HSE took over, there were 71 residents in place. The current situation is that 15 residents have moved voluntarily and four more are moving this week. Unfortunately, two people who were at the end of life have passed away. We offer our sympathies to their families. As of this morning, there were 50 residents in the nursing home.

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