A HIQA inspection of a Monaghan nursing home has highlighted the high quality of life experienced by its residents.

An inspection was carried out at Castleross Nursing Home in Carrickmacross in May of this year. Castleross nursing home is a purpose-built premises which can accommodate up to 125 residents in four individual houses.

The philosophy of the designated centre is to preserve the dignity, individuality and privacy of the residents who live there in a manner that is sensitive to their ever changing needs. On the day of inspection inspectors observed a busy but calm atmosphere in the centre with staff attending to patients' needs in an unrushed, kind, and patient manner.

Residents' private spaces were found to be well-maintained and contained items of personal significance such as photographs and ornaments. Those living in the home praised the quality of the food and said they were always offered choice.

The inspector saw that there was a varied schedule of activities displayed on each unit such as Mass, exercise classes, live music and games. Residents told the inspector they went out on the bus usually once a week where they or the bus driver would choose a destination, stopping for a drink, ice cream or fish and chips. A mobile ice-cream van also appeared on the day, and one visitor, who's resident was non-verbal, commented on how much they appeared to be enjoying it. Overall, the centre was found to be compliant or substantially compliant in all areas of inspection.

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