A HIQA inspection into a HSE-run community hospital in Co Leitrim criticises the facility for staff shortages and consistent failures to address shortcomings in fire management.
St Patrick's Community Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon accommodates 83 residents over the age of 65.
Some of the residents suffer from dementia, others are receiving palliative care and the remainder are getting convalescent, rehabilitative, continuing and respite care.
Last March's pre-announced two-day inspection found it complied with nine categories of regulations but failed nine other tests.
The report found that residents were offered a bath or shower once a fortnight but that on occasions when residents had declined the offer, or if there was no staff available on their assigned day, residents had not received a shower or bath for a month or more.
Fire evacuation plans were not in place and fire safety equipment had not been installed as promised following a previous agreement with HIQA.
HIQA says there were a significant number of falls in St Patrick's and some residents had fallen repeatedly and were not adequately protected from further injury.
It says toilets were inadequate and there were no hand-washing facilities available in most of the multi-occupancy rooms, making the management of outbreaks of infection difficult throughout the hospital.
While residents and family members told inspectors that they were happy with the services provided, they were concerned about the inadequate staffing and HIQA agreed with these concerns.
However, significant improvements were noted in the quality of food and nutrition progress and, while other improvements were evident since the last inspection, further improvements were required.
For example, inspectors identified a need to develop a comprehensive training and education schedule, particularly training in the protection of vulnerable adults, managing behaviours that challenge, fire, wound care management, infection control.
In a statement this evening, the HSE said it accepts the findings of HIQA's report and has taken immediate steps to address the concerns raised.
Responding to the finding of residents not being provided with frequent showers or baths, the executive described this as "unacceptable" and said it will "ensure that this aspect of each resident's care is dealt with immediately."
The HSE says that concerns over fire safety issues have already been addressed.
It said that HIQA inspectors found that staff interacted with residents in a respectful manner at all times and residents and their families told inspectors that they were happy living in the hospital and that staff were kind to them.
The executive said it accepts that St Patrick's is an old building plans for a new community hospital in Co Leitrim have been submitted for approval.
