Serious fire safety shortcomings have been identified at Falcarragh Community Hospital.
The concerns highlighted by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) included flammable materials being stored in high-risk areas and issues about emergency evacuation arrangements.
HIQA found that the hospital was non-compliant with regulations governing fire precautions and governance and management following an unannounced inspection on June 9.
“This inspection found that the management of fire safety did not fully ensure the safety of residents, staff and visitors,” the report said.
Two inspectors from the social services carried out the inspection and among the most serious findings were fire hazards involving the storage of combustible and flammable materials.
Inspectors found garden machinery, cardboard and wood stored in a boiler room, while a container of oil and grease, discarded waste and cardboard boxes were found in an ESB room. Items were also being stored beneath an electrical panel in a storeroom.
These issues were considered sufficiently serious to warrant immediate action. The report says that the storage problems were brought to the attention of the person in charge and addressed on the day of the inspection.
Inspectors identified a series of concerns involving fire doors, fire containment and emergency escape arrangements.
An enclosed courtyard did not have adequate means of escape while door leading back into the building had a magnetic locking mechanism but lacked a manual override on the courtyard side.
The inspectors warned that this created a risk of residents becoming trapped in the courtyard in the event of a fire.
Other concerns raised included missing fire seals on doors, doors that did not close properly, gaps that could allow smoke and fire to spread between areas, and inadequate fire separation in an external building containing electrical, boiler and storage rooms.
Fire detection was missing from an electrical cupboard along a corridor and a kitchen cupboard.
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Although staff demonstrated knowledge of emergency procedures, inspectors said they could not be assured that an effective evacuation could take place with the lowest number of staff rostered during night-time hours, as the relevant simulated evacuation drill records were not available on the day.
The report found that evacuation plans displayed in the centre did not accurately reflect its layout.
Inspectors noted that short-stay contracts for residents did not adequately set out the terms of their stay, the services being provided or the fees they were required to pay.
Concerns were raised about how staffing was managed, despite inspectors finding that adequate numbers of staff with appropriate skills were available to meet residents’ needs at the time.
The report said the centre relied on agency staff to cover planned and unplanned vacancies. An arrangement requiring agency workers to have been in the service for more than 12 months before becoming eligible for employment by the HSE was described as unsustainable and inconsistent with the centre’s stated purpose.
Separately, the short-stay contracts of 12 residents did not adequately describe the terms of their residency, the services to be provided or the fees payable. Five of those residents had been living in the centre for more than 30 days, but their contracts had not been updated accordingly.
Despite the issues, the report contained positive findings about the experience of residents living at the hospital.
Inspectors said residents were satisfied with the centre and the care and support they received. Residents told inspectors they felt safe and comfortable and were supported to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
In response to the findings, the HSE said it had submitted a compliance plan to HIQA setting out measures already taken and further actions intended to bring the centre into full compliance.
The HSE said the centre’s short-stay contract of care had been reviewed and amended, while a documented system had been introduced to ensure multidisciplinary team recommendations were received in writing.
It also said face-to-face safeguarding training for all staff had been completed and that recruitment was being progressed to fill vacant posts, with agency staff remaining in place in the interim to ensure adequate staffing arrangements.
In relation to fire safety, the HSE said a gate had been installed in the courtyard and green break-glass units fitted to override magnetic locks. Fire detection deficiencies in the electrical and kitchen cupboards have been addressed, while inappropriate storage had been removed from identified rooms.
The HSE also said fire safety deficits had been escalated to its estates department and contracted fire safety engineering consultants, with remedial works undertaken to address identified risks.
A mobile resident alarm and a fire extinguisher have been provided for the designated smoking area.
In a statement, the HSE said: “HSE Older Persons Services in Donegal Integrated Healthcare Area will continue to work to ensure that robust governance, quality and safety arrangements are in place within Falcarragh Community Hospital to ensure high quality services are provided to all residents.”