Nurse rejects claims she slept on the job
A NURSE who allegedly routinely slept for up to three hours while working night shifts at an elderly care home has claimed the allegations are part of a ‘conspiracy’.
As a result of the alleged resting periods, the nurse allegedly failed to provide adequate care to 21 elderly residents, the majority of whom were were in their 80s. This includes an alleged failure to help residents to the toilet, or to assist residents who suffered from incontinence.
Nurse Eileen Mary (Mulligan) Kiernan worked at the Maple Court Nursing Home in Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath, from October 2002 until July 2013.
A fitness-to-practise inquiry – being held at the Nursing and Midwifery Board headquarters in Blackrock, Co. Dublin – yesterday heard that Ms Mulligan Kiernan, who was not present, denies the allegations.
In May 2013, two care assistants at the nursing home completed whistleblower forms in relation to Ms Mulligan Kiernan, and gave them to the home’s manager, Caroline Day, who then made a complaint to the nursing board.
As the inquiry began, Ciara Hanratty, part of the legal team representing the CEO of the nursing board, outlined her communications with Ms Mulligan Kiernan prior to the inquiry.
Ms Hanratty said that, during a telephone conversation between herself and Ms Mulligan Kiernan in October of this year, the nurse ‘mentioned that the whole thing was a conspiracy’.
The inquiry continues today.