Care Home in Kilkenny Faces Urgent Infection Control Issues

An unannounced inspection of the Kilkenny Care Centre has revealed serious concerns regarding infection control practices, particularly in light of a reported outbreak of scabies among residents and staff. Conducted on July 2, 2025, the inspection highlighted that while staff were noted for their kindness and compassion, significant gaps in governance and infection prevention were identified.

The inspectors stated that “further action was required by the registered provider to improve the infection prevention and control governance and oversight of the service.” They observed that the management systems in place were ineffective in overseeing and coordinating outbreak control measures. Consequently, residents were inadequately protected from the risk of infection spread.

The report detailed that a “significant number of residents and staff had shown signs of a contagious skin infestation since September 2024.” A clinical diagnosis from a general practitioner confirmed the presence of scabies, with one case escalating to crusted scabies, a more severe and contagious form of the condition. Public Health authorities were informed, and an outbreak was officially declared on May 29, 2025.

Despite the ongoing outbreak, the inspection found that responses had been fragmented and lacked proper coordination. This disorganization likely contributed to the persistence of the scabies issue within the care centre. Inspectors noted that “bedrooms had not been deep cleaned after residents received treatment for confirmed or suspected scabies,” raising concerns about the potential for re-infestation.

The report criticized the centre for not managing outbreaks effectively, stating that residents displaying signs of infestation were not isolated promptly, and the administration of scabies treatments did not adhere to Public Health recommendations.

In contrast to these serious issues, the inspection recognized that staffing levels were appropriate for the size and layout of the facility. The centre was assessed as “Compliant” under Regulation 15: Staffing. Additionally, staff training in safeguarding received positive remarks, as the report indicated that the registered provider had taken reasonable measures to protect residents.

Improvements were also observed in staff supervision, particularly on the second floor, which led to a reduction in negative interactions among residents. The centre was considered “Compliant” in staffing, training, behaviour management, protection, and individual care planning. However, it was deemed “Substantially compliant” in residents’ rights and “Not compliant” in governance and management and infection control.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) issued an urgent action concerning Regulation 27: Infection Control, warning that the non-compliances posed a risk to resident safety and well-being.

In response, the care centre’s management has committed to weekly meetings among the person in charge, assistant director of nursing, and clinical nurse managers to address the outbreak. They pledged that all residents showing signs of infestation will be isolated immediately and remain so for 24 hours after treatment. Furthermore, they assured that the entire centre would undergo deep cleaning in line with recommendations from Public Health.

The report’s findings underscore the critical need for improved infection control measures at Kilkenny Care Centre to ensure the safety and health of its residents.