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Westmeath Care Centre Failed To Protect Residents Rights

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 16:10

St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone

HIQA failed St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone on staffing, fire safety, and care and social plans.

A Westmeath care centre failed to protect resident's rights according to a new report by the healthcare watchdog.

St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone has been found non-compliant in four regulation areas.

Some 32 residents were staying at the facility during HIQA's unannounced inspection last September.

While those staying there said they were supported to live comfortably and staff were attentive to their needs for support, inspectors failed St Vincent's in four areas.

The care centre had failed to ensure residents were able to engage in meaningful social activities, in line with their preferences and capabilities.

Another area found non-compliant was around care plans.

Behaviour support plans developed for a resident experiencing frequent episodes of responsive behaviours, were not sufficiently detailed to guide staff effectively

This then in turn affect the safety and comfort of other people staying in the centre.

The centre failed in the area of fire precaution, due to the lack of a supervision plan for residents post evacuation, while records of simulated drills failed to reflect night-time staffing resrouces.

Government and management of the St Vincent's was found non compliant as well over its handling of these issues and for the lack of a definitive plan to recruit staff for 10 vacant roles.

Since the inspection, management has recruited for a number of the vacant roles, and has put plans in place to address issues across care plans, fire safety, and social activities.

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