Nursing homes. Credit: Pexels, Matthias Zomer
Two of Ireland’s leading private nursing homes have come under fire after an explosive RTÉ Investigates documentary uncovered widespread neglect and distressing care failures.
Secret footage reveals care workers’ poor hygiene and neglect
The programme, RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland’s Nursing Homes, airing tonight (June 4) on RTÉ One, exposed shocking treatment inside The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Dublin – both run by Emeis Ireland, the country’s largest private nursing home provider.
Undercover reporters with full healthcare qualifications and Garda vetting secured jobs at the facilities after whistleblowers raised serious concerns. What they filmed has been described as “neglect in a setting that is supposed to be caring” by Consultant Geriatrician Prof David Robinson, who added bluntly: “It’s abuse – there’s no other word for it” (Cited by RTÉ).
What the secret footage captured in Irish nursing homes:
- A resident was left on the toilet with a broken call bell while the carer went on break. The nurse later wiped her hands on the resident’s skirt.
- Another elderly man waited 25 minutes to be taken to the toilet – after being told to use his pad instead.
- Incontinence pads ran out, and staff were told to use “sticky pads and underwear” instead. One nurse commented: “Using incorrect incontinence wear is a form of abuse” (Cited by Independent.ie).
- Residents were left sitting in urine-soaked clothes or wet beds with no sheets available.
- A vulnerable resident with dementia was left in a wheelchair for six hours – without a hoist being used to move her.
Staff shortages were rampant. One carer was left to manage 23 residents alone. Despite regulations mandating engaging activities, some floors offered none at all. Vital supplies like towels, gloves, and sanitary wipes were often missing.
Emeis Ireland responds amid growing outrage
Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea, operates 27 care homes in Ireland with over 2,400 beds. In a statement, it admitted the footage was “deeply distressing” and said: “This is not the standard of care we expect and not what residents and their families deserve.”
The company offered “sincere apologies” and promised a full review of supply management, staffing allocations, and training standards. It insisted it “does not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect or practices” (Cited by RTÉ).
Consultant Geriatrician Prof Rónán Collins called the situation “really quite distressing” and said: “There’s no regard for the person. It’s prioritising expediency over dignity” (RTÉ).
He and Prof Robinson highlighted the psychological toll on staff as well, with Collins warning: “In healthcare, what causes burnout is people going home day after day feeling frustrated because they can’t provide the care they know they should.”
Ireland’s health watchdog, HIQA, has received several reports and says it is finalising inspection findings. Compliance plans have reportedly been submitted by both homes.
With Fair Deal funding providing state support – up to €1,400 per week per resident – many are questioning where exactly the money is going?
Should more undercover investigations be used to monitor care homes? We all know it’s an incredibly difficult job, but are the care workers being supported? A recent study found that nearly one in three nursing home workers in Denmark experience severe psychological stress in their workplace.
View all news from Ireland.
