Cahercalla board ‘fully accepts’ findings of HIQA report

THE board of Cahercalla Community Hospital has said it fully accepts the findings of the HIQA report on an inspection carried out “at a time when Cahercalla was at its lowest ebb while dealing with a substantial Covid-19 outbreak which involved 25% of residents and resulted in 25% of staff being absent on Covid related leave.”
The report, which was published on Friday, comes off the back of an unannounced inspection of the facility on January 20, 2021 during the Covid-19 outbreak. The report deemed Cahercalla to be ‘non-compliant’ in 12 different regulatory areas at the time.
Responding to the publication of the report, Chairman of the Cahercalla Board, Dr Michael Harty said, “The board of Cahercalla fully accepts the finding of this HIQA report. The inspection was carried out at a time when Cahercalla was at its lowest ebb while dealing with a substantial Covid-19 outbreak which involved 25% of residents and resulted in 25% of staff being absent on Covid related leave. The main focus of management and staff at this time was to deliver the basic needs of residents to ensure proper nutrition and hydration, proper medication supervision and to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection.
“Cahercalla regrets that it was not compliant HIQA regulations during this inspection. Cahercalla is in regular contact with HIQA and works closely with HIQA to develop management structures to comply with necessary regulations.
“A new management structure is now in place since 22/02/2021 which has substantially addressed the non compliance issues and is delivering new supports and training for staff to provide excellent care to residents at Cahercalla. A recent HIQA inspection of 16/03/2021, as yet unpublished, has determined that non compliance has been substantially addressed and the care and welfare of residents is being safeguarded. The Covid-19 outbreak is now over and all residents and staff have been vaccinated allowing Cahercalla to accept new admissions.
“Cahercalla would like to thank all staff who worked tirelessly during this very traumatic time. We also appreciate the support received from HIQA and the HSE Covid Response Unit which provided invaluable assistance in overcoming our difficulties,” he concluded.