A Longford care service for residents with cognitive, physical or neurological disabilities has been highly praised following an official inspection. Esker Gardens is a community facility designed for up to four residents and provides long term, 24 hour care to residents who are over 18. The service is run by Orchard Community Care Limited and is located in rural Longford. HIQA inspectors attended the centre in November 2024 and spoke to staff, residents and family members on site. The report highlighted that residents lived a comfortable and meaningful life, and were supported in making their own choices and maintaining
independence.
Residents had been relocated to this designated centre as part of the ‘Wasted lives’ project, and all of them had previously been inappropriately accommodated in nursing homes. All residents were wheelchair users, and the designated centre was adapted to meet their needs. Resident's were found to be in good spirits and described their happiness with their accommodation, with one resident allowed keep a pet cat following a decision by management. Another resident on arrival to the centre was unable to mobilise or eat and drink without support, but following time in Esker Gardens, were now doing both, and could move around in their wheelchair.
Family members who spoke with the inspector said that they were very happy with the care and support that their family members were receiving, with one family saying the care in the centre had changed their loved one's life. The centre was found to be fully compliant in 10 conditions and substantially compliant in 3 such as fire precautions, medicines and pharmaceutical services and staffing. Inspectors highlighted the need for staff to conduct a night time fire drill while further training was needed from certain staff on medication issues.
