The CEO of a group representing nursing homes has said public thanks are owed to the “very brave nurse” Clare Doyle whose whistleblowing exposed issues in the sector. 

Last night on RTÉ Investigates, two fully trained healthcare assistants went undercover at Beneavin House in Dublin and the Residence, Portlaoise. 

Both nursing homes are run by a private company, Emeis, which owns 27 homes in Ireland. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, The Alliance - Supporting Nursing Homes CEO Shane Scanlan said he had been “utterly shocked and appalled” by what he had seen on television. 

“You just really feel for the residents and families that have been affected by this,” he said. 

Mr Scanlan continued that the alleged abuse might never have been exposed had it not been for the whistleblower who felt that no one was listening to her concerns. 

“We have to compliment a very brave nurse in Clare Doyle,” he said. 

“When she went to RTÉ and made multiple disclosures before that with HIQA. 

“And the real question is, what if she had never gone to RTÉ?” 

Care home whistleblowing

Before she went to RTÉ, Ms Doyle also reported her concerns to the Health Information and Quality Authority. 

She claims her concerns were not acted upon. 

“We really have to question the effectiveness of HIQA here,” Mr Scanlan said. 

“HIQA were established to prevent such abuse after Leas Cross two decades ago. 

“It’s clear to us that they failed to deliver what they were set up to do. 

“There will be calls for further powers to be given to HIQA and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services - that’s not the answer here.” 

Mr Scanlan added that “an immediate independent root and branch review” of how HIQA inspections are carried out is now needed.

“Because inspections need to spend more time observing care, speaking with staff, speaking with residents,” he said. 

“There’s a huge amount of agency staff that’s currently being used by HIQA. 

“Last year alone, they spent €1.89 million on agency staff and you’d be wondering what are agency staff doing with that organisation?” 

In a statement to Newstalk, a HIQA spokesperson said they were "very concerned" by what they had seen on RTÉ. 

"The practices shown in the programme were wholly unacceptable and shocking," they said.

"HIQA’s Chief Inspector is taking escalated regulatory action in the nursing homes identified.

"We will take any necessary additional actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents.

A review into all nursing homes operated by Emeis is also underway. 

Emeis has been contacted for comment. 

Main image: A nurse holding an elderly patient’s hands. Picture by: pikselstock / Alamy Stock Photo