Ardee Nursing Home Praised in Positive HIQA Review
By ArdeePost Reporter
Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home Wins Praise in HIQA Review
Inspectors highlight strong resident satisfaction, caring staff and homely atmosphere
Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home in Ardee has received strong praise following an unannounced inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), with inspectors reporting high levels of resident satisfaction, positive family feedback and a warm, supportive environment throughout the centre.
The inspection, which took place on 23 September 2025, assessed the 125-bed facility against national regulations governing residential care for older persons. On the day of inspection, 112 residents were living across the centre’s five household-style units.
Residents and Families Speak Highly of Care
Inspectors reported consistently positive feedback from residents and visiting family members. Residents told inspectors they were “perfectly happy” living at Moorehall Lodge and described staff as “very nice” and always willing to help.
One family member summed up the experience by saying:
“These people have a vocation, they are not just doing a job.”
Warm Atmosphere and Respectful Care Observed
Throughout the inspection, HIQA inspectors observed friendly and respectful interactions between staff and residents, prompt responses to call bells and a calm but lively atmosphere in communal areas.
Residents were supported to maintain independence and flexibility in their daily routines, including choosing when to get up in the morning, selecting meals and participating in activities at their own pace.
Meals and Facilities Receive Strong Praise
Dining arrangements were highlighted as a particular strength. Breakfast was served flexibly between 7.30am and 11.30am, with staff accommodating individual preferences such as scrambled eggs, bacon or boiled eggs.
Outdoor facilities were described as well maintained, with secure courtyards featuring seating areas, flowerbeds and sheltered smoking spaces. Inspectors also noted that the secure dementia-unit courtyard included a car that residents could interact with if they wished.
The laundry service also received positive feedback, with residents and relatives reporting no issues with missing clothing.
Governance and Staffing Rated Strong
HIQA found Moorehall Lodge to be well governed, with strong leadership from the management team and good staffing levels in place. All mandatory staff training — including safeguarding and dementia-related responsive behaviour training — was found to be fully up to date.
Areas Identified for Improvement
While the overall findings were positive, inspectors identified some governance-related areas requiring improvement. Certain internal audits were considered too limited in scope, including call-bell checks, hand-hygiene audits and oversight of care plans.
As a result, the centre was deemed “substantially compliant” under Governance and Management regulations.
Moorehall Lodge has committed to expanding audit sample sizes, strengthening care-plan monitoring and introducing new systems for residents requiring more frequent safety checks. These measures are scheduled for completion by the end of November 2025.
Minor Care-Planning Issues Addressed
Inspectors also identified minor gaps in two care-planning areas:
- Some resuscitation care plans had not been reviewed within the required four-month timeframe.
- For one resident at risk of absconsion, the care plan was not fully implemented in practice, with safety checks carried out less frequently than advised.
These issues were also rated as substantially compliant, with Moorehall Lodge committing to full compliance by 9 December 2025. The centre has already updated its care-plan audit tools and scheduled a full review of resuscitation documentation.
Overall, HIQA concluded that Moorehall Lodge in Ardee provides a caring, respectful and resident-centred service, with strong leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.
