Dickson concerned by lack of action by RQIA on care homes

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed his concern by the lack of action by RQIA on care homes that are repeatedly reported as underperforming or failing to meet required standards of care. He was commenting following complaints that were raised by the family of Bobby Wilson about his care at Chester Nursing Home in Whitehead.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “This is a difficult and troubling situation for the relatives of Bobby Wilson, including his grandson Dean Acheson who my office has been working with to investigate what happened to his Grandfather. I am sad to say that unfortunately this isn’t the only case that my office is dealing with in regards to poor care and other issues at nursing homes.

“I am deeply concerned that RQIA seem to issue report after report about shortcomings, improvement requirements, medication and many other items in nursing homes, yet no action is apparently taken or takes too long to be taken. RQIA need to move beyond simply repeating recommendations and take serious enforcement action where appropriate, including barring admission of new patients or indeed the closure of beds or complete homes.

“RQIA must change how they operate and ensure that their recommendations are met and in circumstances where a care home continues to underperform, severe action must be taken.”

ENDS