Ramelton Community Hospital has significantly improved says HIQA

An unannounced inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found significant improvements in terms of safety and care at Ramelton Community Hospital.

The facility is a designated centre for health and social care of up to 30 male and female residents primarily over the age of 65. There were 23 residents present on April 26 when the inspection was conducted.

According to the HIQA inspection report issued on August 3: “Overall, the care and service provided to the residents in this centre had significantly improved since the previous inspection, and residents were enjoying a good quality of life in this centre. 

“Many residents told the inspector that the centre was a nice place to live and that they were well cared for and supported by the staff.”

Of the 19 regulations included in the inspection, Ramelton Community Hospital was deemed either compliant or substantially compliant. 

HIQA reports: “Overall, the inspector found that this centre was well managed and that the

residents were made central to the organisation of the centre and that daily routines

were flexible. 

“The inspector noted that the provider was implementing their compliance plan for the previous inspection in relation to managing the fire safety risks and refurbishing the centre's premises.”

It was noted that while there was a schedule of training, some additional improvements were required to ensure that the cleaning staff had sufficient knowledge about the use of cleaning products.

The inspector observed that some rooms marked as having been deep cleaned had a visible amount of dust.
“Staff supervision required additional improvement to ensure that deep cleaning is carried out to a high standard in this centre,” said the inspector.

Residents’ meetings were held regularly in the facility, and on the whole, residents’ needs were taken into account and were being met. 

Fire Safety

The provider had completed the fire safety works that were required to address all of the high risks and most of the medium risks identified in the provider's fire safety risk ssessment. 

However, a number of medium risks were not completed at the time of this inspection due to unforeseen delays with construction works. 

According to the HIQA report: “Following the inspection, the provider submitted adequate assurances that the delays to the works had been addressed and that works had recommenced in the centre.”

Ramelton Community Hospital was found to be substantially compliant in areas of training and staff development, governance and management, premises, infection control, fire precautions, medicines and pharmaceutical services, individual assessment and care plans, and residents’ rights.
It was deemed compliant in regulations relating to staffing, records, insurance, contract for the provision of services, notification of incidents, written policies and procedures, directory of residents, personal possessions, healthcare, managing behaviour that is challenging, and protection.

The full report can be viewed at HIQA.ie

A plan has been put in place to bring Ramelton Community Hospital to full compliance.