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Orwell Private HIQA Inspection Report May 2026

HIQA Report Highlights

Orwell Healthcare is pleased to share the latest HIQA inspection report for Orwell Private, following an unannounced inspection carried out on 11th and 12th May 2026. The report highlights many positive aspects of life in the centre and recognises the dedication of our team in delivering compassionate, person-centred care to residents every day.

Residents who spoke with inspectors described Orwell Private as a lovely place to live, while inspectors observed many kind and respectful interactions between staff and residents throughout the inspection. Residents also spoke positively about the caring relationships they have built with staff and the support they receive.

Supporting Residents to Live Well

The inspection found that residents enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment, with access to beautiful gardens, courtyards and outdoor spaces throughout the home. Inspectors noted that the centre was clean, well maintained and provided a range of communal spaces for residents to relax, socialise and spend time with family and friends.

Residents also benefit from a vibrant programme of activities designed to support wellbeing, independence and social connection. Activities available include music, reminiscence therapy, aromatherapy, gardening, therapeutic cooking, fitness programmes, games and regular outings. During the inspection, residents were looking forward to a planned visit to Rathfarnham Castle.

Dining and Care

Dining remains an important part of daily life at Orwell Private, and residents spoke highly of the quality and choice of meals available, describing the food as “excellent”. Inspectors observed appetising meals being served and noted that residents could choose where they wished to dine, either in communal dining areas or in the comfort of their own bedrooms.

The report also highlighted that residents have timely access to healthcare professionals when required, with specialist recommendations implemented to support individual needs. Care plans are regularly reviewed to ensure residents receive personalised care that reflects their preferences and supports their wellbeing.

Skilled and Dedicated Team

The report recognised the commitment of our staff team and the positive relationships that exist throughout the centre. Residents described staff as knowledgeable, caring and supportive, while inspectors found high levels of compliance in key areas such as safeguarding, manual handling, falls prevention and residents’ rights.

Inspectors also found that residents are supported by staff who know them well and understand their individual needs, helping to create a caring and person-centred environment.

Continuous Improvement

As part of HIQA’s comprehensive inspection process, a number of opportunities for further improvement were identified. Orwell Healthcare welcomes this feedback and has already implemented a detailed action plan to strengthen staffing arrangements, enhance clinical supervision, further develop governance systems and continue to build on existing quality assurance processes.

Actions already underway include the recruitment of additional nursing staff, enhanced night-time clinical oversight, increased staff mentoring and supervision, strengthened auditing systems and ongoing quality improvement initiatives across the service. These measures build on the many strengths identified during the inspection and further support the delivery of safe, high-quality care for residents.

Our Commitment to Residents

At Orwell Healthcare, we are committed to creating an environment where residents feel safe, respected and truly at home. We are proud of the positive feedback shared by residents and families and remain dedicated to continuously improving our services to ensure the highest standards of care, comfort and quality of life for everyone who lives at Orwell Private.

The full HIQA inspection report is available to view on our website, on the HIQA website, or as a printed copy available at reception.

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News

Orwell Healthcare Named Finalist for Best Use of Technology at the Private Healthcare Awards 2026

 

Orwell Healthcare is proud to announce that we have been named a finalist in the Best Use of Technology category at the Private Healthcare Awards 2026. This recognition highlights our innovative use of AI-powered technology to strengthen policy compliance, staff learning, and ultimately support safer, higher-quality care for our residents.

The nomination celebrates our successful implementation of Cloda, an AI-powered quality management and compliance platform that has transformed how our teams access, understand, and apply best practice policies and procedures across our services.

Using Technology to Support Better Care

At Orwell Healthcare, we continually look for innovative ways to support our staff and improve outcomes for residents. As one of Ireland’s leading private care providers, we recognise that high-quality care depends on a knowledgeable, confident workforce with easy access to the information they need.

Traditionally, healthcare providers have relied on staff acknowledging that they have read policies and procedures. However, opening a document does not necessarily demonstrate understanding. Our goal was to move beyond simple policy acknowledgements and create a system that provides meaningful evidence that procedures are understood and can be applied in practice.

Introducing Cloda’s AI-Powered Policy Management System

To achieve this, Orwell Healthcare implemented Cloda, a specialist platform designed for health and social care organisations. The system provides a centralised, searchable policy library that enables staff to quickly access up-to-date procedures whenever they need them.

One of the platform’s most valuable features is its AI assistant, which allows staff to ask questions about policies and procedures and receive instant answers sourced directly from Orwell Healthcare’s approved documents.

This has been particularly beneficial for our diverse workforce. Staff can ask questions in their preferred language and receive guidance based on the same approved policies, helping to improve understanding and consistency across the organisation. The platform has been used in 11 different languages, supporting greater accessibility and inclusion.

Strengthening Compliance Through Understanding

A key innovation in our approach has been replacing traditional policy sign-off processes with comprehension-based learning. For 28 mandatory policies covering areas such as safeguarding, medication management and fire safety, staff complete a short knowledge assessment before acknowledgement is recorded.

This approach ensures policies are not simply opened and signed. Instead, staff actively engage with the content and demonstrate understanding, helping to strengthen governance, quality assurance and resident safety.

The results have been significant. Since implementation:

  • More than 4,800 policy comprehension quizzes have been completed.
  • Staff have asked over 2,400 questions through the AI assistant.
  • More than 129 hours have been saved by reducing time spent searching for information.
  • The AI assistant has achieved a 75.1% adoption rate among active users.
  • Staff have accessed the platform in 11 different languages.

These efficiencies allow more time to be focused on what matters most: delivering person-centred care to residents.

Supporting Staff to Deliver Exceptional Care

Diana Rose, Director of Care, explains:

“We’ve always invested in our staff because we know that confident, knowledgeable carers deliver better care. Cloda has made a real difference by giving staff instant answers from our own approved procedures. Cloda saves valuable time that can be redirected back to resident care, while also giving us much stronger assurance that policies are not simply acknowledged, but genuinely understood and applied in practice.”

Anitha Mani, Practice Development Nurse, added:

“Since implementing Cloda, staff have consistently said how user-friendly Cloda is. They especially love being able to ask Cloda questions on our policies and get instant answers. The ability to ask questions in their native language has also been a huge benefit and really supports understanding of our procedures.”

Looking Ahead

Being recognised as a finalist at the Private Healthcare Awards 2026 is a testament to our commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and excellence in care.

As we continue our digital transformation journey, we are exploring further opportunities to enhance learning, compliance and workforce development through technology, ensuring our staff are equipped with the knowledge and support they need to provide exceptional care for every resident.

We are honoured to be shortlisted and would like to thank our dedicated staff, whose commitment to learning and delivering high-quality care makes achievements like this possible.

Find out more here.

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Events

Garville Private Opens: A New Chapter for Residential Care in Rathgar

 

20th March 2026. Diana Rose (Director of Care), Megan Jones (Brand and Communications Director),Dr.Mary Jones (Medical Director), Minister Jim O' Callaghan,Laura Dunne (Deputy CEO), Peter Jones (CEO Orwell Healthcare), Viktoria Vince (Operations Manager) and Nester Changunda (Director of Nursing Garville Private) open Garville Private in Rathgar, Dublin 6. Photo: Justin Farrelly.

Orwell Healthcare proudly celebrated the official opening of Garville Private, our newest residential care home in Rathgar, Dublin 6. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan TD officially opened the residence, marking an important milestone for Orwell Healthcare and the local community.

Garville Private stands on the site of the former Orwell Queen of Peace Nursing Home, which Orwell Healthcare acquired in 2017. Over the years, we invested significantly in improving services and enhancing care standards. Today, that journey continues with the opening of a modern, purpose-built residence that will welcome its first residents in Autumn 2026.

A Significant Investment in Care

Garville Private represents a €30 million investment in residential care. The new 138-bed residence increases Orwell Healthcare’s total capacity across its Rathgar campus to 308 beds.

The development also creates 200 new full-time and part-time jobs. These roles include nurses, healthcare assistants, social care professionals, activities staff, administration personnel, and facilities teams.

Garville Private Rathgar rooftop gardenSpeaking at the launch, Minister Jim O’Callaghan said:

“Orwell Healthcare’s investment represents a significant addition to residential care capacity at a time of high demand, so I was very pleased to officially open this impressive facility in Rathgar in my own constituency. I also warmly welcome the creation of 200 new jobs.

I want to offer my sincere best wishes to the residents of Garville Private and their families. I also want to pay tribute to the staff and management for their ongoing care and support and I look forward to their continued success here in Rathgar.”

Designed Around Residents’ Comfort and Wellbeing

The team designed Garville Private to provide exceptional comfort, privacy, and personalised care. Residents will enjoy beautifully furnished private and communal spaces, a library, hair salon, oratory, and dedicated areas for family visits.

One of the most impressive features is the large rooftop garden. Residents can enjoy walks, outdoor activities, social gatherings, and panoramic views of the Dublin Mountains. The adjoining sunroom offers a bright and welcoming space to relax with family and friends.

Furthermore, a dedicated multidisciplinary team will provide coordinated clinical and social care. The team will focus on each resident’s individual needs, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Garville Private nursing home Dublin

A Vibrant Community

Life at Garville Private will extend far beyond clinical care. Residents will have access to a varied programme of activities tailored to their interests and preferences.

These activities will include music, exercise classes, creative arts programmes, seasonal celebrations, social events, and regular outings supported by the Orwell Bus. As a result, residents will have plenty of opportunities to remain active, connected, and engaged.

Looking Ahead

Peter Jones, Group CEO of Orwell Healthcare, said:

“This development is a major investment in the future of residential care in Ireland, especially in the South Dublin area. We are creating a premium environment where comfort, dignity and clinical excellence come together. With the national need for care beds growing year on year, this project expands our capacity at a critical moment and provides a home families can trust for their loved ones.”

Diana Rose, Director of Care at Orwell Healthcare, added:

“The clinical environment has been purpose built to support safe, high-quality care. The combination of well-designed spaces, training supports, and digital resources will enable our teams to deliver consistently strong outcomes for residents. We are creating a warm, safe, and supportive home with a strong focus on community and meaningful daily life.”

As we prepare to welcome residents in Autumn 2026, Garville Private represents an exciting new chapter for Orwell Healthcare. Most importantly, it provides a beautiful new home where residents can thrive, build connections, and enjoy the highest standards of care in a welcoming community.

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Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Orwell Healthcare HIQA Inspection Report November 2025

Orwell Healthcare is pleased to share the most recent publication of the HIQA Report following an unannounced inspection on 17th November 2025.

The report shows that residents enjoy a high quality of life in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. Residents spoke very positively about their experience. They described staff as kind, helpful, and attentive. In addition, inspectors noted a calm and respectful atmosphere throughout the centre.


HIQA Inspection Report Highlights

The report highlights many strengths across the service. Residents are supported to live with choice and independence. For example, they can decide their daily routines and how they spend their time.

There is also a wide range of activities available. These include music, exercise, arts, and social events. As a result, residents have plenty of opportunities to stay active and engaged.

Importantly, strong relationships exist between staff and residents. Staff provide care in a respectful and person-centred way. The centre also offers comfortable communal areas and personalised bedrooms, helping to create a warm and homely environment.


Staff, Training and Quality of Care

Inspectors found that staffing levels were appropriate. Staff also have good access to training and support. Because of this, they are knowledgeable and respond quickly to residents’ needs.

Care plans are detailed, personalised, and regularly reviewed. This helps ensure that each resident receives the best possible care.

The service is well managed overall. Systems are in place to monitor quality and respond to feedback. While inspectors identified some areas for improvement, clear action plans are already in place to address them.


Our Commitment to Residents

Orwell Healthcare remains committed to delivering high‑quality, person-centred care where residents feel safe, respected, and at home.

The full HIQA inspection report can be viewed on our website, on the HIQA website, or as a printed copy available at reception.

 

 

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Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Orwell Healthcare HIQA Inspection Report May 2025

Orwell Healthcare is pleased to share the most recent publication of the HIQA inspection report following an unannounced inspection on 8 May 2025.

The HIQA inspection report confirms that residents enjoy a high quality of life in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. Inspectors observed residents receiving kind, respectful, and personalised care, delivered by staff who know residents well and respond to their individual needs.

Residents told inspectors that they felt safe, comfortable, and well supported. Inspectors also noted the calm atmosphere throughout the centre and the positive daily experiences of residents.


HIQA Inspection Report Highlights

The HIQA inspection report highlights many strengths across the service.

Residents have strong, positive relationships with both staff and management. Staff communicate clearly, listen carefully, and support residents with dignity and respect. Inspectors consistently observed patient and thoughtful interactions.

Residents enjoy choice and independence in their daily routines. They decide how to spend their time and where to socialise. Inspectors saw residents engaging across the centre, including communal spaces such as the café, garden areas, and activity rooms.

Inspectors observed a wide and varied programme of activities, available seven days a week. These included music performances, art sessions, exercise, pet therapy, and religious services. Residents spoke positively about the range of activities and their opportunities to participate.

Mealtimes were a particular strength. Inspectors described meals as relaxed, social, and well organised. Staff offered residents choice and support without rushing. Inspectors also noted that staff adapted meals to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.


Staff, Training and Quality of Care

The HIQA inspection report confirms strong compliance with staffing and training requirements. Inspectors found sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet residents’ needs throughout the day.

Staff complete regular training in safeguarding, fire safety, infection prevention, dementia care, and manual handling. Inspectors described staff as knowledgeable, confident, and attentive in their approach to care.

Residents have access to GP services and a range of allied health professionals, including physiotherapy, dietetics, tissue viability, dental care, and palliative care. Care plans are personalised, detailed, and regularly reviewed, with a strong focus on residents’ preferences and wellbeing.


Our Commitment to Residents

Orwell Healthcare remains focused on delivering high‑quality, person‑centred residential care in an environment where residents feel respected, supported, and at home. We welcome the findings of this HIQA inspection report and take pride in the positive feedback received from residents, families, and inspectors.

The full HIQA inspection report can be viewed on our website, on the HIQA website, or as a printed copy available at reception.

 

 

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Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Coming Soon

We’re proud to announce a major milestone for Orwell Healthcare as our newly renovated €30 million care facility nears completion on Garville Avenue, Dublin 6. Opening early next year, it will create 200 new jobs and bring our total capacity to 308 beds at a time when Ireland urgently needs more residential care options. A purpose built home shaped by our values, ready to welcome residents and new team members in 2026!

Read more about it below:

RTE.ie – Orwell Healthcare to create 200 new jobs

Business Post – Orwell Healthcare to create 200 jobs in €30 million Dublin nursing home renovation | Business Post

Business Plus – Orwell Healthcare to add 200 jobs following €30m renovation

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Events Newsletters Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Lord Mayor Honors Centenarians at Orwell Healthcare

 

Dublin’s cherished tradition of honouring its oldest citizens was revived with the return of the Dublin City Centenarians Project. As part of the celebration, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain visited Orwell Healthcare in Rathgar to meet three of our most senior residents: Irene Tucker (100), Eileen Cassidy (102), and Elizabeth Berney (104).

Each woman has lived a life filled with purpose, connection, and a commitment to staying active and engaged. Their stories highlight the value of longevity and the importance of community, health, and dignity in later life.

A fourth resident, Theresa Steedman, who turned 100 on July 1st, also met the Lord Mayor and played Happy Birthday on the piano to everyone’s delight.

“It was a true privilege to meet Elizabeth, Irene, Theresa and Eileen,” said Lord Mayor Emma Blain. “These women embody wisdom, resilience and humanity.”

We were proud to be part of this special moment and honoured to celebrate the lives of our incredible residents.
You can read more about it on our special features below.

The Journal : Here’s What Happened Today: Monday · TheJournal.ie

Dublin Gazette : Celebrating 306 Years of Remarkable Lives

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Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Orwell Healthcare HIQA Inspection Report Published

This HIQA inspection report has been superseded. Please see our latest HIQA inspection report here.

Orwell Healthcare would like to announce that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published their report of our most recent inspection. We are proud to have received such a positive report as it is a reflection of the hard work of all the staff in Orwell.

The inspectors observed that residents received a “high standard of personalised care”, offering a good variety of high-quality activities, with well decorated and well-maintained facilities. The HIQA Inspectors reached their conclusions through a combination of resident interviews, an inspection tour, meetings with management and staff working on the floor, and a review of documentation.

Other highlights from the report include:

  •       Residents have positive relationships with staff and management, describing them as “excellent.”
  •        Staff interactions with residents are respectful, offering choices and patient assistance.
  •        Visitors express positivity about all aspects of the service and compliment the staff.
  •        Meal times are characterized by a relaxed and social atmosphere, with sufficient staff available to assist residents.
  •       Staff provide unhurried and discreet support, offering residents choice regarding food and drinks.
  •        A comprehensive resident satisfaction and feedback survey is utilized to inform service changes and quality improvement plans.
  •      Effective assurance processes are in place for environmental hygiene, including cleaning specifications, checklists, and audits.

The full report can be read on our website, by clicking the image below, or on the HIQA website. Alternatively, a physical copy can be found at reception.

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Orwell Healthcare HIQA Report 2025

Orwell Healthcare shortlisted for Irish Healthcare Centre Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce that Orwell Healthcare has been shortlisted for Clinical Team of the Year at the Irish Healthcare Centre Awards!

The Clinical Team spent the entire month of February putting together a massive dossier outlining the incredible work they do on a daily basis at Orwell. Here’s an excerpt from the application that stood out to the judges:

Caring with awareness is an accurate description of our outstanding Clinical Team in Orwell Healthcare who are so deserving of this award. Described by all departments as dependable, knowledgeable, and, compassionate, they make it so we can provide the best care to residents without compromise.

Their solid and progressive teamwork has allowed us to confidently move forward, nurturing and developing new recruits to meet the same high standards, making the management of a full capacity Orwell Private look effortless.

Congratulations & good luck to the team! To see the full shortlist, please click the image below: