A Co Louth nursing home has been seriously criticised after a number of unsolicited reports concerning the care and welfare of residents prompted an unannounced Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection.

St Peter's in Castlebellingham, run by Trinity Care, was found to be majorly non-compliant in the areas of governance and management, safeguarding and risk management.

HIQA said the unit's records about incidents in which residents came to harm or abuse were not maintained properly and complaints were not effectively dealt with. 

According to the authority: "Significant improvements were required in relation to the governance and management of adverse incidents and allegations, suspicions and reported abuse, training, skill mix and supervision of staff and of their understanding of required procedures and policies to protect residents from abuse or harm, mitigate risks and manage complaints.

Incident management and reporting, assessment and care planning, and recording practices also required improvement."

There were 39 people resident at the home at the time of the inspection on January 13th. 

Officials questioned residents and staff over the course of the two day inspection.

HIQA is responsible for regulating services provided in designated centres for children, dependent people and people with disabilities.