This article is from page 7 of the 2007-08-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
THE terms of reference for an inde- pendent investigation into the treat- ment of patients at an Ennis nursing home have been set.
The HSE ordered the external in- dependent review into Cappahard Lodge on May last, following con- cerns raised “by a number of parties including staff”’.
A separate Garda investigation was also ordered, following complaints made by some of the family mem- bers of Kilrush man Gerard Finn, relating to his treatment and care at the home.
The terms of reference for the re- view, Which will be chaired by Dr Donald Lyons, Mental Welfare Commission of Scotland, have now been set.
In the course of the review, Dr Lyon’s committee will “identify and collate all policies and procedures relating to patient care in Cappahard Lodge”.
The investigating committee will also examine the extent to which current policies and procedures are adhered to and the adequacy of cur- rent policies and procedures.
Finally, the review committee will be asked to make recommendations as to how policies and procedures might be improved and/or more ap- propriately implemented.
Relatives and other stakeholders are to be contacted and asked to make submissions. The late Mr Finn died at the home in June. The 69- year-old was admitted to the home in December 2005, with Alzheimer’s and angina.
Over an “extended period of time”, some of his family members, includ- ing his daughter, made a number of complaints to the HSE regarding his care at Cappahard Lodge.
The complaints were investigated by the clinical director and direc- tor of nursing, Clare Mental Health Services under the HSE Trust in Care policy document which is designed to deal with allegations of abuse.
The complainants were informed of the findings.
This “screening process” found that no abusive actions had taken place and that “nursing and medical care provided for Mr Finn was ap- propriate”.
However, following the Trust in Care investigation, the HSE contin- ued to receive complaints from some family members in relation to Mr Finn’s ongoing treatment and care.
The external review was then com- missioned, prior to Mr Finn’s death POM LUD ates
Mr Finn’s wife, Ann, has made it clear on numerous occasions that she was happy with her husband’s treat- ment at the home.