HIQA report raises concerns over care standards at Dundalk nursing home

A HIQA inspection of Dundalk Care Centre has found that regulatory compliance at the nursing home has deteriorated since its previous inspection, with inspectors identifying significant shortcomings in governance, nursing care and care planning despite residents expressing high levels of satisfaction with the service.

The unannounced inspection of the 130-bed facility on the Inner Relief Road took place on April 15, 2026. At the time, 118 residents were living in the centre.

Inspectors reported that residents were complimentary about the care they received, with one describing the home as "like a hotel". Residents told inspectors they were "happy with everything" and that "staff are brilliant" and "they come when you ring the bell."

Visitors also praised the standard of care, with inspectors noting they were welcomed into the home at any time.

However, despite the positive feedback, HIQA concluded that "the level of regulatory compliance had deteriorated since the last inspection in May 2025, when the centre was found to be predominately in compliance."

The report found the home to be not compliant in governance and management, individual assessment and care planning, and healthcare.

One of the most serious concerns related to the care of residents at risk of pressure ulcers.

HIQA stated: "The standard of nursing care for residents identified at risk or at high risk of developing pressure ulcers was poor."

Inspectors found an increase in the number of Grade 2 pressure ulcers developing in the home and said care provided did not reflect best practice.

Among the issues identified were pressure-relieving mattresses being set incorrectly, incomplete care plans and residents not being repositioned every two hours as required.

In one example, inspectors found a resident's mattress was set for a weight of 120kg despite the resident weighing just 64kg.

The report also found that recommendations from specialist tissue viability nurses were not always incorporated into residents' care plans.

In another case, a resident with a Grade 2 pressure ulcer had been referred to a tissue viability nurse in February 2026 but "had not been seen" because the referral had not been followed up on by staff.

Inspectors were critical of management oversight within the centre, stating that existing oversight systems had failed to address known issues.

According to the report, "management and oversight systems in place did not ensure that all aspects of care provided were safe, appropriate, consistent and effectively monitored."

Although audits had previously highlighted poor assessment and care planning practices, inspectors found "no action was taken on foot of these audits' findings and consequently the practices had not improved."

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HIQA also said there had been "gaps in the management systems overseeing the quality of individual assessment and care planning."

Inspectors also found practices that did not uphold residents' privacy.

The report states that during a morning handover, staff "turned on the light in a number of bedrooms when the residents’ [sic] were asleep in bed and a number of staff proceeded to walk into each of these bedrooms without gaining consent."

It also noted that residents could not always identify staff caring for them because not all employees were wearing identification badges.

While staffing levels were deemed appropriate, inspectors found shortcomings in staff training.

Some employees had not completed refresher safeguarding training, while others caring for residents with responsive behaviours had not received the necessary specialist training.

Despite the concerns, inspectors highlighted several positive aspects of the service.

Residents reported feeling safe in the centre and inspectors observed "some person-centred and discreet staff interventions" during the inspection.

The report praised staffing levels, saying there were "adequate staffing numbers with the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet the needs of residents."

Inspectors also found mealtimes to be calm and well organised, with residents offered choice and assistance where needed. Activities were described as varied, with a lively music session observed during the inspection.

Housekeeping standards were also commended, with residents telling inspectors their rooms were cleaned regularly and that "the standard of cleanliness was high."

The centre was found compliant in several areas, including staffing, complaints procedures, communication supports, premises and safeguarding measures.

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In its official compliance plan, the provider, Tempowell Limited, said it had undertaken a comprehensive review of governance systems and clinical practices.

Measures introduced include strengthened clinical governance meetings, daily management walkarounds, enhanced auditing, revised care plans, additional staff training and increased oversight of pressure ulcer care.

The provider also said pressure-relieving equipment across the centre has been checked, mandatory reassessments introduced following specialist reviews, and new systems implemented to ensure referrals to tissue viability nurses are tracked and followed up promptly.

Management said residents' rights, dignity and privacy have also been reinforced through staff training, supervision and spot checks, while identification badges have been reintroduced for all staff.

The provider has committed to completing the required improvements within the compliance deadlines set by HIQA.