The Leas Cross scandal erupted in Ireland when the nursing home with this name, located near Swords in Dublin, closed several weeks after a 2005 Prime Time television report revealed sub-standard living conditions there.[1] The documentary showed a patient with several bedsores who went on to develop MRSA.[2] Public concern over the Leas Cross scandal led to the formation of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).[3]
Hynes Report edit
Peter McKenna, a 60-year-old man with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's, who died 13 days after being transferred to the home in 2000, was the subject of a report by Martin Hynes, former head of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.[2][4] Mr. McKenna had been transferred from St. Michael's House to the nursing home despite the objections of his family - he was a ward of court.[4] He needed round-the-clock nursing care but that was difficult to manage in the nursing home.[4] St. Michael's House described the report as flawed.[4]
O'Neill Report edit
A report by Professor Des O'Neill reviewed deaths at the home between 2002 and 2005, finding that care was deficient and it was consistent with a finding of institutional abuse.[5][6]
The report also expressed concern at the short time between patients being transferred from hospitals to the nursing home, particularly in the case of patients from St. Itas Psychiatric Hospital.[6][7] It also stated that there was almost a complete absence of systematic monitoring of deaths in Irish nursing homes.[6][7]
References edit
- ^ Leas Cross Nursing Home to close, irishhealth.com, 7/7/2005, retrieved 9 April 2009
- ^ a b Probe into deaths of 95 at nursing home, Gene McKenna and Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 28 October 2005, retrieved 9 April 2009
- ^ "Nursing home bill to set up inspections body". RTÉ News. 14 December 2006.
- ^ a b c d Doctor queried disabled man's care before death, Eilis O'Regan, Irish Independent, 16 November 2005, retrieved 9 April 2009
- ^ Leas Cross report finds 'systematic abuse', RTÉ News, 10 November 2006, retrieved 9 April 2009
- ^ a b c Leas Cross Report, Health Service Executive, last updated 18 August 2008, retrieved 9 April 2009
- ^ a b Leas Cross–catalogue of neglect, irishhealth.com, 11 November 2006, retrieved 9 April 2009