HSE Dublin and South East Media Release
18 July, 2025
The HSE’s Waterford Residential Care Centre Rehabilitation Unit has been praised in an inspection carried out by the Health Information and Equality Authority (HIQA).
In a report published this month, the authority summarised its findings from a two day inspection carried out in October of last year, as part of a process that also included its inspectors speaking with those receiving care in the unit.
One conclusion noted in the report was the authority’s observation that arrangements were in place at the unit to support and promote what it described as the delivery of “high-quality safe and reliable” healthcare.
The HIQA Inspection also found, in relation to quality and safety standards, what it noted as “care designed and delivered to promote the dignity, privacy and autonomy of patients” in the Waterford Residential Care Centre Rehabilitation Unit.
Following the completion and coming into operation of the Waterford Residential Care Centre in 2020, extensive renovation works were carried out in the adjacent St. Patrick’s Hospital building. The former hospital space now houses the Waterford Integrated Care for Older Persons (WICOP) Centre. In addition, what was known previously as the Our Lady’s Ward section of St. Patrick’s now features the purpose-built, short stay, 15 en-suite single bedded Rehabilitation Unit.
The Waterford Residential Care Centre, across its three long-stay and continuing care for older persons households (Farronshoneen, Ferndale and Grange), provides accommodation for 80 residents. The Centre also includes Aidan’s Unit, a 20 en-suite single bedroomed mental health facility, specialising in psychiatry of later life and continuing mental health care.
As part of care and discharge plans for patients, admissions to the Rehabilitation Unit in the Waterford Residential Care Centre are by transfer from University Hospital Waterford or by referral through the HSE Dublin and South East’s community healthcare services.
Patients of the Rehabilitation Unit have access to a multidisciplinary team which includes Nursing, Medical officers, Consultant Geriatrician, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. A local GP service is also on-site daily, to advise and assist with the medical care of patients.
Commenting on the publication of the report, the Director of Nursing for Waterford Residential Care Centre Barry Power said:
“The Waterford Residential Care Centre has an excellent reputation as a care facility and we are deeply appreciative of the support we receive from families and the wider community in the Waterford area and South Co. Kilkenny.”
“The HSE welcomes inspections of all its hospitals and residential care facilities by the HIQA and our team here continuously work to ensure adherence to expectations set by the authority. I am delighted for my colleagues on the Rehabilitation Unit team and this good news underlines what we are all about here.”
Carmel Lonergan (Asst. Director of Nursing/Rehabilitation Unit, Waterford Residential Care Centre) added:
“HIQA reviewed all of the requisite operational standards, which we strive to maintain at a high level in this unit. The team in the unit are very pleased also that there are several mentions in this report of what it terms ‘a culture of kindness’ actively promoted by all staff. The fact that this was also highlighted as feedback recorded from our patients is something we were delighted to see.”
“We look forward, along with colleagues across services at the Waterford Residential Care Centre and St. Patrick’s campus, to delivering healthcare and support to the highest standard to the population we serve.”
Last updated on: 18 / 07 / 2025
