Age Action urges public to raise any concerns with nursing homes
Age Action has called on people to speak up if they have concerns for their loved ones in nursing homes.
The call comes a day after a report from Hiqa raised grave concerns for the welfare and safety of residents at a Co Galway facility.
The HSE took over the operation of the Owen Riff centre on Camp Street in Oughterard last month after the inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority in April.
Head of Advocacy with Age Action Eamon Timmins believes people need to be more forthright in voicing any concerns they have about the care their loved ones are receiving.
"Families play a huge role in this," he said.
"Members of the public visiting nursing homes play a huge role, other professionals, doctors, nurses, and people going in and out of that nursing home [play a huge role].
"We would urge people to say, look if you see your loved one, and you're not happy with the standard of care, that [you say that] they do look dishevelled, that you say there is a smell and [ask] when was the last time my loved one was bathed?"
