Mullingar nursing home ‘failed to provide proper care’
An investigation by the Ombudsman has found that a public nursing home in Co Westmeath failed to cater for even the most basic needs of a patient sent there for a week in 2006.
The 88-year-old woman, who was physically and mentally incapacitated as a result of a stroke, was put in St Mary's Care Centre in Mullingar by her daughter for one week of respite care.
However, the daughter, who was a trained nurse, took her mother home after only three days when she became alarmed at her condition.
The Ombudsman has found that the centre failed to provide adequate food, fluids and care to the woman, who was also found to have sores and blisters since going into the home.
The report criticises the care given to the woman and the HSE's handling of complaints from her daughter.
The HSE has already implemented some changes on foot of the report and undertaken to make further improvements.
