Residents say local Longford care home is a ‘great place to live’

Laurel Lodge Nursing Home was found to be compliant in eight regulatory areas and substantially compliant in three areas during a recent unannounced HIQA inspection.

The inspection report outlined that the Longford town facility was 'compliant' in respect of staffing, training and staff development, individual assessment and care plan, protection, residents' rights, managing behaviour that is challenging, communications difficulties and complaints procedures.

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The nursing home was deemed to be 'substantially compliant' in three areas namely governance and management, premises and personal possessions, with the requirements generally met but some action is required.

Laurel Lodge provides 24 hour nursing care for up 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.

There was 110 present on the day in the premises which comprises of three separate units; Hazelwood Lodge, Lissadell Lodge and Glencar Lodge with the latter unit providing care, and support for residents living with dementia.

All of the three units provide a range of communal facilities for residents including unrestricted access to their own sitting, and dining rooms and the rooms were 'decorated in a homely manner'.

The HIQA inspectors said there was a calm and relaxed atmosphere and the provider ensured that the number and skill mix of staff was appropriate to meet the assessed needs of residents who received timely and appropriate care when they required it.

"Residents living in this centre were supported to enjoy a good quality of life, where their safety, and well-being was prioritised. The report stated, "Staff interactions with residents were observed to be caring, gentle, and respectful, it was evident that there were good relationships between staff, and residents who indicated via a questionnaire that it was a great place to live."

Resident bedrooms were found to be spacious and suitable for residents, however, some improvements were required to two rooms located on Glencar unit as the premises did not conform to all of the regulations.

One of the twin-occupancy bedrooms the residents did not have access to equal space to store their clothes and personal items with one enjoying a double wardrobe while the other had a single wardrobe.

The flooring in several resident rooms on the first floor was damaged, privacy curtains were found to be ripped, the bedside table was damaged, while the furniture in two twin rooms was of a poor standard.

The provider informed HIQA privacy curtains identified had been replaced and furniture has been ordered and they are "awaiting implementation to ensure completely separate furniture and equal furniture space for each resident in the room".

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They also said a review has also been completed in all shared rooms to ensure this is the case in all shared bedrooms.

In relation to the 'damaged flooring', the provider said the flooring on the first floor at the time of inspection was undergoing upgrade in a phased approach.

"All corridors and reception areas have been completed, with the next phase set to upgrade the floors in resident rooms, priority rooms have been identified for upgrade in the upcoming phase."