Dunabbey House, a residential nursing unit in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, has received excellent ratings in an inspection carried out by the Health Information and Equality Authority (HIQA).
In a report published this month, based on the results of a two day inspection carried out in July, HIQA approved Dunabbey’s full registration and found the facility to be fully compliant in 14 and substantially compliant in another four of the 18 categories looked at in such undertakings.
Named to reflect the local parishes of Dungarvan and Abbeyside, the single storey, purpose built Dunabbey House has operated as a designated centre for dependent persons since 1974. Under the management of the adjacent Dungarvan Community Hospital, the facility provides general nursing care on a 24 hour basis cares for 24 residents with a low to high dependency level.
The HIQA report cites receipt by it, prior to the inspection in July, of unsolicited information of concern in regard to issues of staffing and quality of care. The authority has noted, however, that such concerns were not substantiated by their intensive two day inspection at Dunabbey. The report, which has been published on the authority’s web site, cites full compliance with Dunabbey’s statement of purpose by the HSE, the facility’s governance and management, recording of documentation, health and safety and risk management, notification of incidents and management of medication, the health and social care needs of residents, complaints procedures, food and nutrition, residents' rights, dignity and consultation, residents' clothing and personal property and possessions and end of life care. HIQA also noted substantial compliance in regard to staffing, information, safeguarding and the suitability of the premises.
The Director of Nursing at Dungarvan Community Hospital, Ms. Paula French said she was delighted with the results:
“This isn’t the first time that Dunabbey House has won praise from HIQA. Dunabbey has also enjoyed a high standing among the people of West Waterford for decades. It’s always encouraging, however, for our residents, their families, the community we serve and of course for our own hard working staff, when an independent, statutory authority comes in, scrutinises and reports so positively on what we are about in the likes of Dunabbey. Meeting the highest standards, in terms of staffing, care and hygiene is important and it’s a boost to have that verified.”
“I was delighted, also, to read of compliments in the report on how we worked our proximity to all amenities in Dungarvan town (including shops, churches and restaurants) to the advantage of the residents. The accommodation needs of residents was picked out for praise, as were other features of the premises such as the sitting rooms, the dining room and the enclosed garden. The inspectors also noted how popular the sunroom at the entrance was with residents. An important part of HIQA’s inspection process is that they speak to the residents themselves and their happiness at what is their home also comes across in this report.”
The Chief Officer of the HSE’s South East Community Healthcare services Ms. Aileen Colley has extended her congratulations to all staff associated with Dunabbey House and added:
“Throughout the community healthcare services, we have dedicated teams of people working to provide care for and services to people. I have been visiting many such facilities around the South East, where we are doing our very best within available resources. I was in Dungarvan Community Hospital recently and saw at first hand that commitment to community healthcare that has been recognised in HIQA’s report of their inspection of Dunabbey House. I’m very proud to be associated with such services in West Waterford and appreciate the community’s support for the facilities in Dungarvan. There is one passage in the HIQA report, which goes a long way to capturing the type of positive atmosphere at Dunabbey that all of us work together to maintain:
“The provider representative outlined how the centre had established good links within the local community. For example, some residents attended the local day center, the local ''men's shed'' and some residents had craft items that were being brought to the Dungarvan Show that was scheduled the week of the inspection. Items such as home baking, jams, knitting, crochet and flower arranging were being entered into the show. The provider representative outlined that the center was very well supported by the local community on an on-going basis, particularly in relation to fund raising activities. For example, the center had access to a brand new wheel-chair accessible minibus that had been obtained through local fund raising activities. Inspectors saw residents heading out for day trips on both days of inspection using this bus.”
Last updated on: 25 / 10 / 2017
