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Derry nursing home remains closed to admissions due to care failings

Owen Mor managers say they are working to address failings identified by the health watchdog
Owen Mor managers say they are working to address failings identified by the health watchdog Owen Mor managers say they are working to address failings identified by the health watchdog

A PUBLIC meeting attended by those affected by a crisis-hit nursing home in Derry has heard one family's "horrendous" experience.

Owen Mor home remains closed to new admisssions following critical watchdog inspections in which severe shortcomings were discovered in relation to management of medicines.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) said it had particular concerns about dementia patients who "may be unable to express their needs".

Almost 80 people attended Thursday's meeting in Derry, according to the BBC.

Ciara Stewart said her 76-year-old father-in-law, who has a form of dementia, had not received the basic care he needed for more than a year.

"We only realised when we spoke out that we weren't the only family being affected," Ms Stewart said.

"Competent care was the main issue for us. It was in relation to basic nursing."

Ms Stewart said her family's experience had been "horrendous".

Failings in care standards at the 81-bedded facility first came to light in May following RQIA inspections.

Following a follow-up visit last month, the regulator formally stopped new patient admissions after obtaining a court order.

A spokesperson for Owen Mor Nursing Home said: "The staff and management are working closely with the RQIA and the Western Trust to address four outstanding compliance issues".