Danny Healy-Rae Urges Family Access to Nursing Home Residents
Danny Healy-Rae spoke in Dáil Éireann on 8 Jul 2020, raising concerns about restricted access to nursing homes and calling for family members to be allowed to visit and advocate for relatives. He argued that families must be able to check on patients who cannot speak for themselves and highlighted a case of alleged neglect.
Call for family access
The deputy told the Taoiseach that if Dáil Éireann is to remain relevant it must speak for people who cannot represent themselves, urging that family members be permitted to enter nursing homes to visit and ensure the welfare of relatives.
Concern over an alleged neglect case
He said that while most nursing homes care well for residents, a reported instance of a man being "totally neglected" shows the need for family oversight. He stressed that even a single case of neglect is unacceptable and families are needed to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Government reply and HEQA reference
The Taoiseach replied that most nursing homes now allow family visits in restricted circumstances and time limits, and noted that HEQA had compiled a report on the specific case referenced. He agreed that residents need advocates and said the policy of enabling family oversight should continue to be operated by nursing homes.
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I'm calling, Taoiseach, if we don't have any relevance here at all in Dail Eireann, we must represent and talk for the people who can talk and represent themselves. I'm very concerned about people not being allowed into nursing homes to visit their fathers or mothers or brothers or sisters or whatever it is, because in many instances those people can talk or highlight things for themselves and they need family members to do that. I recognize that most nursing homes are positive and do whatever they can for the people in the nursing homes, but sadly we see where one man was totally neglected and one man is too much in this country to be neglected, Minister, or Taoiseach. I'm asking you that you ensure that family members or someone can go in and check to see that everything is fine with the patient who can't talk for themselves. Thank you, Deputy. Thank you. Taoiseach. I think that's a fair point. Now, in most nursing homes that I'm aware of, families are allowed to visit their loved ones now in nursing homes, albeit in restricted time limits and circumstances. And in relation to specific case that you referenced there, my understanding is, again, that HEQA have compiled a report in relation to that particular individual case, but I think the overall point you are making is that people need an advocate and need a family member to speak up for them to make sure their well-being is optimal. And I think that can't be argued of it. And that's something that we will ensure continues to be policy and continues to be something that is operated by nursing homes generally across the country.
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