The health watchdog has again expressed its unhappiness at the condition of a busy Athlone respite and health facility following an inspection late last year.
HIQA claimed that the St Vincent's Care Centre was not in a good state of repair following an inspection last December.
This inspection was carried out to assess how prepared St Vincent's would be in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak.
Overall, 13 areas were examined - with two non compliant, three substantially compliant and eight deemed compliant with expected standards.
HIQA officials discovered that a non-compliance from two previous reports had also not been addressed in respect of limited sanitary facilities and the impact this may have on residents and their privacy.
Other concerns raised by inspectors included issues about the premises itself, infection prevention and control as well as risk management, staff training and governance and management.
The building was found to not be maintained to a good state of repair, with leak damage detected on the ceiling and wall surfaces in the parts of the Auburn unit as well as damaged wall surfaces, cracked and damaged floors.
PPE was not available in a sluice room, while there was also reduced availability and accessibility of wall mounted sanitiser in key areas as well as damaged furniture surfaces and corrosion on sink surfaces.
Responding to the report, management claimed that new sinks were being installed in the centre, with a remedial plan also being drawn up to address issue at the premises including repair works to floor covering, paintwork and damaged furniture surfaces.
Management also claim that a replacement building would be operational by quarter two of 2022 and a recent health forum meeting in the region was told that work on a new community nursing unit is expected to begin later this year in Clonbrusk.
