This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41000136

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ashbrooke Care Home closed over 'serious risk to life' Ashbrooke Care Home closed over 'serious risk to life'
(about 3 hours later)
"Systemic care failings" that posed a "serious risk to life" have led to the closure of a care home in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. A nursing home has been forced to close because of care failings described as the worst ever seen by inspectors.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) took the decision after an unannounced inspection at Ashbrooke Care Home last Wednesday. Regulators took the "unprecedented" step after an urgent inspection at Ashbrooke Care Home in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, last Wednesday.
The home is operated by Runwood Homes. The failings, including dirty facilities and a "strong odour of faeces and urine", posed a serious risk to life, said regulators.
It said staff had not been given the opportunity to "address any concerns" the RQIA had with Ashbrooke Care Home. Ashbrooke is operated by Runwood Homes and has 40 residents.
The RQIA said it was liaising with authorities to organise "appropriate alternative care arrangements" for residents at the home. Runwood Homes said staff had not been given the opportunity to address any concerns pointed out by inspectors.
The regulator's chief executive Olive Macleod said the "urgent unannounced inspection" at Ashbrooke came after the RQIA received "safeguarding concerns" the previous day. The Regulations and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) said it was liaising with authorities to organise "appropriate alternative care arrangements" for the home's residents.
"During RQIA's inspection, we found systemic care failings and concerns in relation to the management of the home. RQIA Chief Executive Olive Macleod said this was the first time it had closed a home in Northern Ireland since its foundation in 2005.
"The RQIA considered that there was a serious risk to the life, health and wellbeing of all those living at Ashbrooke Care Home, and that assurances from the provider were not sufficient to address the risks identified." "We inspect all care and residential homes a minimum of twice a year. We find failures and we support the provider to improve on those failures.
Ms Macleod said the RQIA received an urgent order to cancel the registration of Ashbrooke Care Home with immediate effect last Friday. "But this was a systematic failure and I believe we took the appropriate action to protect the wellbeing of these patients."
"The ongoing safety and wellbeing of every patient and resident at this home is of paramount importance to RQIA," she said. 'Substantial weight loss'
"We are currently liaising with relevant authorities, including the Western Health and Social Care Trust, to ensure that as a matter of priority, appropriate, alternative care arrangements are put in place for those living at Ashbrooke Care Home in Enniskillen." Ms Macleod said the home was brought to regulators' attention after information was shared that necessitated an immediate inspection.
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton said the closure was "unprecedented" and would be a "traumatic experience" for residents. "The patient equipment was dirty, the patients looked unkempt, their hair had not been washed, their clothes were dirty and there was a very strong odour of faeces and urine," she said.
"When we checked the records we found there had been substantial weight loss recorded against at least three patients, and in one patient it was 6kg - which is a very large amount of weight for anybody to lose in one week.
"There was no evidence in the records that any actions had been taken in relation to that case failure."
She added that inspectors also spoke to visitors who said the home was short-staffed and that they themselves had helped to assist other patients eat meals.
Ms Macleod said that while the RQIA would normally have invited Runwood Homes to a "serious concerns meeting", the failures were "of such an extent that we believed this was the appropriate action to take".
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton said the closure would be a "traumatic experience" for residents.
"The focus of everyone should now be on the safety and welfare of the residents so that they can be relocated as soon as possible in a way that minimises the disruption to their lives and those of their families," she said."The focus of everyone should now be on the safety and welfare of the residents so that they can be relocated as soon as possible in a way that minimises the disruption to their lives and those of their families," she said.
'No prior notification' 'No notification given'
DUP councillor Raymond Farrell said it was a "very concerning time".DUP councillor Raymond Farrell said it was a "very concerning time".
"Meetings are ongoing between the home and the trust," he said. "We don't know what the outcome will be but we hope it's one that puts the residents first and they won't be under any undue stress.""Meetings are ongoing between the home and the trust," he said. "We don't know what the outcome will be but we hope it's one that puts the residents first and they won't be under any undue stress."
In a statement, Runwood Homes said it "was not given any prior notification of the enforcement action" the RQIA intended to take.In a statement, Runwood Homes said it "was not given any prior notification of the enforcement action" the RQIA intended to take.
"A previous unannounced care inspection of the home by RQIA on 15 May 2017 had found that there was evidence of safe delivery of care and no enforcement action resulted from the findings of that inspection," it said."A previous unannounced care inspection of the home by RQIA on 15 May 2017 had found that there was evidence of safe delivery of care and no enforcement action resulted from the findings of that inspection," it said.
"There has not, therefore, been any opportunity for Runwood staff to engage with RQIA to address any concerns that they had with regard to the running of Ashbrooke Care Home."There has not, therefore, been any opportunity for Runwood staff to engage with RQIA to address any concerns that they had with regard to the running of Ashbrooke Care Home.
"Runwood are currently working very closely with the Western Health and Social Care Trust and other stakeholders to ensure that care delivery is provided in a person-centred and safe manner throughout this difficult time for Ashbrooke Care Home."Runwood are currently working very closely with the Western Health and Social Care Trust and other stakeholders to ensure that care delivery is provided in a person-centred and safe manner throughout this difficult time for Ashbrooke Care Home.
"Ensuring that residents of Ashbrooke Care Home receive high quality nursing and residential care is of upmost importance to us.""Ensuring that residents of Ashbrooke Care Home receive high quality nursing and residential care is of upmost importance to us."
A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust said: "This is a very difficult situation and time for the residents concerned and their families.A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust said: "This is a very difficult situation and time for the residents concerned and their families.
"As an interim measure the trust will work alongside the management of the home to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents which remains the trust's priority.""As an interim measure the trust will work alongside the management of the home to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents which remains the trust's priority."