HIQA report of care facility in Meath raises serious concerns – McEntee

Fine Gael TD for Meath, Helen McEntee, has expressed serious concern in response to a HIQA report which has outlined the abuse of residents at the Redwood Extended Care Facility in Stamullen.

“The HIQA report about the mistreatment of residents at Redwood in Stamullen is extremely concerning. Having seen the Primetime documentary featuring abuse in Áras Attracta in Swinford earlier in the week, it is very disconcerting to think that similar abuses have been occurring here in  Meath. The carers responsible for this abuse are in a position of trust and they have completely abused their position and those they were supposed to be caring for.

“My thoughts are with residents at Redwood and their families. It must be harrowing to know that the loved ones who you have entrusted to this facility have been mistreated. I also feel for the people who work as carers across the country, including those in Redwood, the vast majority of whom carry out their work in a decent, compassionate and professional way. 

“Some of the most shocking elements of the report relate to the excessive physical restraint of residents. It was prompted by notifications of 772 incidents of physical restraint within an 11-month period.

“The report outlines recurrent and lengthy durations of physical interventions of up to two and a half hours. It concentrated on the five residents who were most at risk by being most heavily restricted. One resident was allegedly restrained 184 times in an 11 month period. The report also found that residents were not routinely assessed or reviewed by a doctor following lengthy episodes of challenging behaviour and prolonged physical restraint.

“The Redwood Extended Care Facility is home to 34 people aged 18 to 69 with complex and high support needs, particularly in relation to behaviour management issues. These people are extremely vulnerable and depend heavily on the staff at the centre. It is completely unacceptable that they have been mistreated in the manner outlined in the HIQA report.

“What is even more worrying is that both inspections by HIQA were announced. This means that the facility would have been given six weeks notice before the visits. I would ask the question, how were residents treated when no inspection was taking place? This issue needs to be addressed by the relevant authorities immediately.”