BBC News has reported the Valley Nursing Home, located in Clogher, County Tyrone is to be deregistered by Northern Ireland care home regulator RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority).
Critical inspections
Critical inspections identified multiple hygiene and safety risks, an RQIA report stated, "Of particular concern, adequate precautions and systems were not in place to manage fire risk.”
These ;significant breaches' have resulted in the care home’s deregistration, meaning it can no longer operate in Northern Ireland.
health and safety procedures
Stephen Adams, Chief Executive - BAFE, commented, “While disruptive for remaining residents and their families, BAFE commend the RQIA’s reported action to deregister this care home, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic."
He adds, "This is a clear demonstration that all health and safety procedures remain important for life safety and must be followed at all times, even with any additional COVID-19 safety measures introduced.”
fire risk assessments
RQIA published a statement regarding the competence of persons carrying out fire risk assessments"
Stephen Adams continues, “We have observed the RQIA in Northern Ireland are extremely conscious of fire risk in care homes, especially with their response to the Rosepark Care Home fire in 2004 which killed fourteen residents."
He stated, "In response to the Scottish care home fire, RQIA published a statement regarding the competence of persons carrying out fire risk assessments in regulated residential care establishments.”
UKAS accredited TPCB
This statement said, “RQIA believes that people carrying out fire risk assessments in residential care premises should demonstrate their competence by having attained recognized registration or certification.”
It added, “Ultimately, it is desirable that companies or organizations carrying out fire risk assessments as a service to regulated residential care establishments holds recognized third party certification (such as BAFE SP205) by a UKAS accredited TPCB (Third Party Certification Body)."