A HIQA inspection of Clifden’s District Hospital delivered a largely positive result for the facility – with patients particularly complimentary of both staff at service there.

It’s a shot in the arm for the hospital which has been in the news for more negative reasons in recent years, with its forced temporary closure because of a lack of staff – and difficulties in recruiting replacements.

The seven-bedded District Hospital was closed for three months in the first half of last year – before the HSE gave assurances that this wouldn’t happen again in its lifetime, when it is replaced by a new 40-bed unit that will replace it in the coming years.

This announced HIQA inspection took place on December 11 and 12 last year to assess compliance with eleven of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare at the publicly funded HSE Community In-patient hospital which provides convalescence and respite care.

The inspection focused on four key areas – infection prevention and control, medication safety, the deteriorating patient (including sepsis) and transitions of care.

Overall, the unit was found to be compliant with five National Standards, substantially compliant with four and partially compliant with three.

Over the course of the inspection, the inspectors also had the opportunity to speak with several patients receiving care at the hospital.

The patients expressed satisfaction with the care they received and praised the staff. Patients described staff in the clinical area as ‘lovely, beautiful, kind and caring’.

Patients explained that staff “take the time to talk even though they are busy”.

Patients were also complimentary of the food provided in the hospital. A thank you card was displayed at the nurses’ station thanking all staff for their kindness and the care provided to a patient during their recent respite stay.

Inspectors observed also that staff engaged with patients in a respectful and kind manner and were responsive to patient’s needs and were observed to answer patients call-bells in a timely manner which was validated by patients who told inspectors: ‘if you call they come’.

Patients had access to the dayroom during their stay and were observed relaxing and watching television in this room on both days of the inspection.

Patients also had access to ‘The Magic Table’ in this room which featured a series of vibrant and engaging interactive light games projected onto a table surface.

These games respond to hand and arm movements and staff reported that patients thoroughly enjoyed partaking in these games.

The inspectors found that hospital staff promoted the dignity, privacy and autonomy of people receiving care at the hospital and this was consistent with the human rights-based approach to care promoted by HIQA.

People who spoke with inspectors were positive about their experience of receiving care in the hospital and were very complimentary of staff. The hospital also had systems and processes in place to respond promptly, openly and effectively to complaints and concerns raised by people using the service.

Overall, inspectors found that hospital management had effective arrangements in place to plan, organise and manage their staffing levels to support the provision of high-quality, safe healthcare.

While all shifts were currently being covered, the reliance on agency staff to cover staffing shortages was an area that the inspectors felt required improvement.

Following this inspection, Clifden District hospital submitted their compliance plan and have provided updates on the findings outlined in this report.

The hospital management has also indicated what further steps are being taken to bring the hospital into compliance with the standards where they were found to be partially compliant. There is one compliance outstanding which will be complete by September 30.

Inspectors were told that the HSE had approved plans to construct a 40-bed community nursing unit in Clifden. This will amalgamate the services currently provided by Clifden District Hospital and the local community nursing unit.

Enabling works has commenced on the proposed site for the new unit on the existing grounds of St. Anne’s Community Nursing Unit in Clifden.

In a statement, the HSE said it remained committed to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care and would continue working with HIQA to implement and sustain improvements.

Pictured: Clifden District Hospital…HIQA inspection.