Listowel Community Hospital (St Joseph's Unit) - hiqa.ie

Resident CareArticle 9: Health CareThere are individualised care plans for all residents, a sample of which were reviewed bythe inspector. All residents may retain their own general practitioner (GP) but for somewho are not from the local area, a GP who is more locally based can be assigned onrequest.St Joseph’s has access to a Health Service Executive (HSE) dietician who visits monthly.The physiotherapist based in the hospital visits on request and administers individualtherapy, but is somewhat restricted by the absence of a dedicated treatment room.However, there is a therapy unit attached to the overall hospital service.Occupational therapy is accessed by referral from the CNM or the GP and dental andoptical services are provided as the need arises. Access to a geriatrician is on referralfrom the GP.A chiropodist and a hairdresser visit every two to three months or as required.There is no dedicated activities coordinator but an art class is available every Mondayduring school term time when the teacher is available. The CNM informed the inspectorthat she tries to take residents on an outing, perhaps to their local area, if the weatherpermits. However, this is dependent on sufficient staff cover being available.Article 33: Ordering, Prescribing, Storing and Administration of MedicinesMedications are prescribed, stored and administered according to An Bord Altranaisguidelines. Controlled drugs are appropriately stored and signed off and medical noteshave photographic identification. St Joseph’s has a pharmacist on site as part of theoverall hospital service.Article 6: General Welfare and ProtectionThere is a HSE policy on adult protection in place, and staff spoken to by the inspectorspoke knowledgeably about elder abuse and how any suspicion should be dealt with.Training in elder abuse was documented and signed off by staff.The general welfare of two residents under the age of sixty five is of particularrelevance in that it is highly unlikely that their needs are best met in this environment.While one such resident is able to avail of some community support, the other has little8