Longford's Laurel Lodge provides 'a good quality of life' says HIQA

Laurel Lodge Nursing Home was adjudged to be compliant in 18 areas surveyed and substantially compliant in four accompanying sections during an unannounced HIQA inspection on August 8, 2024.

The inspection report outlined that the Longford town facility was 'Compliant' or 'Substantially compliant' in all 22 regulatory areas.

Four areas 'Fire precautions', 'Governance and Management', 'Infection control' and 'Premises' were deemed to be 'Substantially compliant' which means the operator has generally met the requirements but some action is required.

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Laurel Lodge provides 24 hour nursing care to 114 residents, male and female, who require long term and short term care and there are a number of respite care beds also available.

The centre comprises of three separate units; Hazelwood Lodge, Lissadell Lodge and Glencar Lodge.

The inspectors found that the provider had made significant improvements to the quality and safety of care for residents since the last inspection in December 2023 and, as a result, residents were enjoying a good quality of life.

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"Significant improvements had been made to the lived environment in the centre, especially for those residents accommodated on Glencar Lodge," the report noted. "This included the installation of a post office corner and a cafe corner."

As part of the review the HIQA inspectors spoke with residents and the people who visit them, they spoke with staff and management to find out how they plan, deliver and monitor the care and observe practice and daily life at the centre.

Inspectors also reviewed documents to see if appropriate records were being kept and ensured that they reflected best practice and what they were being told.

The report stated residents at the Templemichael based-facility had unrestricted access to a number of garden and courtyard areas which were well-maintained and adorned with plants, shrubs and well-maintained pathways.

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However, the inspector found a number of resident rooms looked out onto the courtyard area of Hazlewood Lodge and the garden area of Lissadell Lodge, and there was potential that residents or visitors passing these windows would be able to see into the bedrooms.

"As a result there was potential for residents privacy and dignity to be impacted should they wish to carryout out personal activities at these times," the report added.

Laurel Lodge responded to HIQA and pledged that privacy tints for windows will be sourced and trialed to ensure they do not have an overly negative impact on the natural light entering the room.

"We intend liaising with other operators who have fitted the same by way of referencing their actual experience to ensure the best outcome is achieved," the operator added.

Laurel Lodge stated they expected the privacy tints should be chosen and installed in the required rooms by the end of March this year.

There was a risk management policy which met the requirements of the regulations.

This inspection found that procedures were not fully met when it came to the prevention and control of infection control for example there was no hand hygiene sink in the laundry facility on Lissadell Lodge.

The provider stated they intended to install a handwash sink in Lissadell laundry and a daily “walkabout” is now being completed in all areas such as clinical rooms/laundry rooms/sluice rooms to ensure sinks are not being blocked.