HIQA’s high praise for Navan nursing home staff and care

Louise Walsh
An unannounced inspection regarding dementia care at a Navan nursing home has found services to be substantially compliant and of a high standard.
The HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) recently published the findings of the inspection at Beaufort House, which took place over two days last March.
The dementia care thematic inspection focusses on the quality of life of people with dementia and monitors the level of compliance with regulations and standards in relation to residents with dementia.
The aim of the inspections is to understand the lived experiences of people with dementia in designated centres and to promote best practices in relation to residents receiving meaningful, individualised and person-centred care.
On the day of inspection, 13 of the 44 residents were officially diagnosed with dementia, while a further 11 had symptoms of the condition.
HIQA's Inspector of Social Care services Una Fitzgerald found in her report “that care was delivered to a high standard by staff who knew the residents well and discharged their duties in a respectful and dignified way.
“Residents appeared well-cared for and there was good evidence that independence was promoted and residents had autonomy and freedom of choice.”
Feedback from speaking to both residents with dementia and their families was “overwhelmingly positive,” according to the glowing report.
The inspector found that there were policies and procedures in place to safeguard residents from abuse and to respond to allegations, disclosures and suspicions of abuse.
“Residents with dementia receive care in a dignified way that respects their privacy at all times.”
The home was also noted for encouraging residents with advanced dementia to take part in group activities and a record of their lives was recorded and known by staff.
“The staff were knowledgeable in the lives and life stories of residents prior to living in the nursing home.
“Each resident with dementia has a comprehensive and detailed document ‘Remembering Yesterday, Living Today’, which gave excellent insight into the individual resident's likes, dislikes and social backgrounds prior to living in Beaufort House,” said the report.
The inspector noted that complaints were minimal with just one so far this year but found that residents didn't fear making a compliant if necessary. Beaufort House has undertaken to carry out a few improvements arising from the report such as a review of the current practice and usage of bedrails.
A review of seating was undertaken to provide additional seating in communal rooms for visitors, as highlighted by the Inspector.