A recent Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection of Abbey Haven Care Centre & Nursing Home in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, has identified several areas requiring improvement to ensure person-centred, rights-based care for residents. The 63-bed purpose-built facility, operated by Abbey Haven Care Centre & Nursing Home Limited on Carrick Road, caters to older persons.
The inspection assessed compliance across key regulations under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013. The centre was found compliant in several critical areas, including Regulation 14 (Persons in charge), Regulation 34 (Complaints procedure), Regulation 13 (End of life care), Regulation 6 (Health care), and Regulation 7 (Managing behaviour that is challenging). It was also compliant in Regulation 8 (Protection).
However, the report highlighted non-compliance in Regulation 27 (Infection control) and Regulation 9 (Residents’ rights), with several regulations deemed substantially compliant, such as Regulation 15 (Staffing), Regulation 16 (Training and staff development), Regulation 21 (Records), Regulation 23 (Governance and management), Regulation 28 (Fire precautions), Regulation 17 (Premises), and Regulation 5 (Individual assessment and care plan).
Particularly concerning were findings related to residents’ rights and dignity. Inspectors observed practices that did not fully uphold a human rights-based approach centred on the FREDA principles — fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy. Examples included staff routinely applying clothing protector bibs during mealtimes without seeking individual consent from each resident, and instances of authoritarian or disrespectful interactions by staff in the presence of inspectors. Some staff referred to care in an institutionalised manner.
Inspectors were not assured that residents could exercise meaningful choice in daily life. Many residents were in bed as early as 6 pm, with the remaining six escorted to bed around 9.30 pm, raising questions about whether this reflected personal preferences. Institutional routines around incontinence care — described by staff as “pad changes” at fixed times during the night and early morning — were noted as not supporting a person-centred approach, with no assurance that these aligned with residents’ will and preferences while sleeping.
The provider has been required to take action to foster a culture prioritising dignity, privacy, and autonomy in all aspects of care. While the centre received positive feedback from some residents about the overall support provided, the inspection shows the need for greater emphasis on individualised, respectful practices to fully meet regulatory standards.
