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class="MsoNormal">The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published details of a damning report into the running of a Co. Galway nursing home.

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class="MsoNormal">An unannounced inspection at the Owen Riff centre on Camp Street in Oughterard in April raised grave concerns for the welfare and safety of residents.

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class="MsoNormal">The Health Service Executive (HSE) took over the operation of the facility last month after the registered owners Riverside Nursing Home Limited withdrew an appeal against the move.

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class="MsoNormal">The unannounced inspection by HIQA at the Owen Riff Nursing Home took place on April 20th and 21st to examine if issues highlighted after previous visits had been addressed.

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class="MsoNormal">Most of the recommendations had not been put in place while a litany of other problems at the family-run business were uncovered.

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class="MsoNormal">HIQA found the person in charge was disorganised and it had grave concerns over staffing levels.

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class="MsoNormal">While it also found the skill mix was inadequate.

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class="MsoNormal">Some of the 22 long-term residents were unkempt, wearing dirty clothes and had not received a bath or shower in the previous month.

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class="MsoNormal">The HIQA inspectors were critically concerned about the delivery and standard of care with significant medication management practices concerns.

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class="MsoNormal">People at risk of malnutrition were not managed appropriately and there appeared to be a poor quality of life for the residents.

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class="MsoNormal">Many were isolated in their sparsely decorated bedrooms for long periods of time.

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class="MsoNormal">Carl O’Brien is chief reporter with the Irish Times.

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class="MsoNormal">He has been outlining the details.

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