Over 400 inspections of nursing homes were carried out in 2015, half of which were unannounced, a new report has shown.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has just published its 2015 Overview Report on the Regulation of Designated Centres for Older People. It shows that last year, 577 centres provided more than 30,100 residential beds.

A total of 411 inspections were carried out in 343 of these centres - 51% of which were unannounced inspections.

"While most centres had an acceptable level of overall compliance with the regulations and standards, it was identified that many needed to improve their approach to governance, the provision of a high quality premises, risk management, fire precautions and staffing levels," the report noted.

It found that the highest number of required corrective actions related to the premises, which ‘indicates a need for providers to invest in the provision of a suitable environment for residents, as many continue to be accommodated in large and outdated open plan Nightingale-style wards, which give residents little privacy and dignity'.

Meanwhile, HIQA said it received 516 items of unsolicited information on 272 nursing homes last year, a fall from 609 items in 2014. Half of these came from the relatives of residents. Others who provided unsolicited information included the residents themselves, staff and anonymous people.

The report showed that three in four nursing homes are operated on a private basis and 36 centres now provide care for over 100 residents.

It also revealed that three centres had closed in 2015. One closed voluntarily, but the other two were closed after ‘formal enforcement procedures' were used.

To view the HIQA report, click here