Calls for full independent review into circumstances surrounding death of Ultan Meehan

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said he "cannot begin to acknowledge the pain and suffering" of the family of Ultan Meehan, 79, who died in hospital from sepsis on 15th June, just over two weeks after being admitted from the Kilbrew Nursing Home.

But he stopped short of agreeing to a full independent review of the case until reports from the HSE and HIQA were completed. He was responding to Deputy Darren O'Rourke who said there serious questions to answer over the clinical care of Mr Meehan.

Mr Meehan was taken to hospital with a facial wound that had become infested.

He had dementia and terminal cancer. But when he was admitted to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown at the end of May, medics noted that the nursing home was "unable to manage" a wound infestation of maggots on the right side of his face.

The death of Ultan Meehan came just ten weeks his son-in-law Adrian Bartley died after contracting Covid-19. He had also been a resident at Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne and shared the same room as Ultan.

Mrs Mary Mary Bartley Meehan, speaking to the Irish Times, said she was “deeply shocked” at the “horrific” condition of her husband.

The Sage advocacy service is calling for the case to be examined.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke told the Dail late last night that he was "shocked and appalled" when the details of Ultan Meehan's case came to his attention and demanded that a full independent rapid review of the clinical care provided to Ultan Meehan and related issues at Kilbrew nursing home be undertaken immediately.

"Many but not all of the details are now in the public domain. Anyone who has read or heard them will be shocked and appalled. In early June, I contacted the HSE, HIQA and the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, on the case.

"I spoke with officials in HIQA who advised me that an on-site inspection was being conducted on 4 June. This was a planned inspection. I was advised that I would receive a copy of the report in due course. I await that report. The HSE responded to say that it has no governance or oversight over private nursing homes as they are private organisations.

"The then Minister responded on 9 June to outline the legislative and regulatory framework and to acknowledge that HIQA has no legal role in examining individual complaints but takes a risk-based approach to regulation. He confirmed that he had requested the HSE to follow up directly with the nursing home in question and asked that the Department of Health be apprised of the situation and any actions taken. That report was to be shared with me but I have not yet received it.

"This case raises several issues. It raises very serious questions around the care provided to Mr Meehan at Kilbrew nursing home. It raises immediate questions about the care provided to other residents, past and present, in that setting. My clear understanding is that there is more information to come to light. It raises serious questions about the wider issue of regulation and oversight of private nursing homes. It will come as a shock to many people that the HSE has no role in the oversight of private nursing homes while HIQA cannot examine individual complaints, even those of an extreme nature."

Deputy O'Rourke asked when the Department of Health or the HSE first notified of concerns at Kilbrew nursing home or relating to the care of Mr. Meehan, and by whom?

"We understand that nursing homes around the country were under great pressure and crying out for help during Covid-19. Was that the case with Kilbrew?

"Has the Minister or his Department received the aforementioned reports from HIQA and the HSE? If so, what did they say about the situation in Kilbrew nursing home and any actions taken? How does the Minister propose to proceed? Will he commit tonight to a full independent rapid review of the clinical care provided to Ultan Meehan and related issues at Kilbrew nursing home?

"This should be done immediately and that is the wish of the family. It should be headed by a doctor, a consultant specialist in the area of medicine for the elderly. Will the Minister commit to that?"

Responding, Minister Donnelly said: "On whether we will commit to a full independent review of the care, that is not where we are at right now. Currently, HIQA and the HSE are investigating the issue and officials in my Department are liaising with them on it. I believe that is what we must do now.

"The situation and the case we all saw reported is heartbreaking and shocking. I cannot begin to imagine what the Meehan family have been going through over the past few months. We owe it to them and to every resident in every nursing home to ensure there is a consistently high quality of care and that when people see issues, they can raise a flag in the knowledge that those issues will be taken seriously and will be reacted to.

"What I am most interested in for now is what learnings there will be to ensure that everybody in those nursing homes, both those who work in them and the residents, is safe and secure. I will continue to work with the Deputy on this issue and will keep him up to date on how it is all going."

In a statement, Kilbrew Nursing Home said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the family on the recent passing of both Ultan and son Adrian.

"It is not appropriate to go into clinical detail relating to any resident or their treatment."

The nursing home said they have submitted a report to Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) regarding the late Mr Meehan and await the outcome of a further review.

The statement continues: "Kilbrew Nursing Home, like many others, has been under acute pressure in the midst of the pandemic and its managers and staff have, and continue, to work extremely hard to deliver the best in care for all of its residents."

It urged anyone who needed support to contact the Hospice Bereavement Support Line on 1800-80-70-77, from 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday.