HIQA report finds Mayo nursing home residents enjoy a 'good quality of life'

An unannounced inspection of a north Mayo nursing home by Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found that residents enjoyed a good quality of life.

A report into the unannounced inspection of the Sonas Nursing Home in Belmullet by a HIQA inspector in Mayo found that the service was fully compliant with national standards and highlighted robust governance and management, alongside strong oversight of any restrictive practices, while recognising the home’s emphasis on supporting residents’ independence.

The HIQA inspection, which focused on restrictive practices, took place between 9.15am and 3pm on May 9 where the inspector Michael Dunne observed care practices, talked to residents, interviewed staff and management, and reviewed documentation in the nursing home.

In the report, Mr Dunne found that the provider was working towards maintaining an environment in which residents were able to live a fulfilled life where restrictive practices were only introduced where necessary.

He stated there were systems in place to monitor the use of restrictive practices and to ensure they were kept to a minimum and staff received relevant training to promote person centred care in an environment that was working towards reducing restrictive practices.

Sonas Nursing Home is located on the Tallagh Road in Belmullet and provides long-term care and respite care for 48 male and female adults with a range of dependencies.

“There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the centre, and a number of residents were observed relaxing in the two sitting rooms watching television. Some residents were observed being served their breakfast in the dining room, while other residents chose to remain in bed until late morning. Residents told the inspector that they could get up, and go to bed as they wished,” Mr Dunne wrote in his report.

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Mr Dunne added that residents felt comfortable in their surroundings and viewed this centre as their home and he found that the centre was warm, homely, and well-furnished throughout.

He noted that one resident told him; “I like it here, staff are good to me” while another resident said; “The food is good, and I get plenty of it.”

The report stated that on the day of the inspection residents were supported to engage in ball and board games and some residents were observed listening to their radios on their headphones, while others were observed chatting with each other in the foyer area.

“It was evident that the provider was committed to achieving a restraint-free environment and that residents living in this centre enjoyed a quality of life where they were valued and respected and where residents were supported to retain control over key aspects of their lives for as long as possible,” he noted.

Mr Dunne found that the nursing home was compliant in respect of how the service performed when assessed against the National Standards

“Residents enjoyed a good quality of life where the culture, ethos and delivery of care were focused on reducing or eliminating the use of restrictive practices,” he stated.

Claire Carey, Person in Charge of Sonas Nursing Home in Belmullet commented: “We are immensely proud of our dedicated team for fostering such a warm and supportive environment for our residents. Sonas’ core values of teamwork, energy, empathy, advocacy, empowerment and warmth are at the heart of what we do every day.”