A new report has identified infection prevention and control issues at a community hospital in Co Mayo.
The findings follow an inspection at Belmullet Community Hospital, by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
It was conducted as part of a review of infection control measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
HIQA inspectors made an announced visit to the facility on 29 July. The hospital was closed to admissions on the day in question, due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Belmullet Community Hospital has a capacity for 40 people, with 20 ward spaces, 18 step-down beds and two respite beds.
The report says environmental and equipment cleaning standards were met on the day of the inspection.
But while locally identified infection prevention and control related risks had been escalated to Health Service Executive managers, there was no evidence of a timely response to such concerns.
The hospital had no timetable for an action plan to address risks that were identified following earlier inspections, in November 2019 and April 2020.
Issues in relation to infrastructure and maintenance had also been notified to the HSE Community Health Organisation 2 (CHO2), which manages public community health centres in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
However, the risks had not been addressed.
HIQA says this is of particular concern in the context of an ongoing pandemic. The Authority says increased focus on infection prevention is required, within the governance structures of CHO2.
The report also details the take-up rate for the seasonal flu vaccine, by staff working in Belmullet. Last year it was 37%, well below a national target of 60%.
Inspectors also say there is room for improvement in relation to patient equipment hygiene in Belmullet. And while COVID-19 preparedness plans were in place, there was a lack of access to specialist staff, with expertise in infection prevention and control.
