Public (HSE)

Sacred Heart Hospital

Old Dublin Road, Carlow, R93 V825

Call 059 913 36470

Fair Deal weekly price

€1,908

HSE cost of care, from 1 September 2026

Registered beds

HIQA maximum occupancy

Registered until

29 June 2027

Current registration since 30 June 2024

Inspection score

75/ 100

Mostly compliant

Getting worse

Ranked 5 of 8 scored homes in Co. Carlow · 6 of 10 within 25 km

Leadership and management77

Quality and safety of care74

What went into the score

16 April 2026 · counts 50%3 not compliant · 5 of 11 compliant · 66
14 August 2025 · counts 30%1 not compliant · 5 of 14 compliant · 74
4 September 2024 · counts 20%11 of 11 compliant · 100

Fair Deal price is 50% above the Co. Carlow median of €1,268 a week.

How we calculate this score

Every regulation HIQA judged on an inspection earns points: Compliant 100, Substantially compliant 65, Not compliant 25.
Where the compliance plan rates the risk of a failing regulation, orange (moderate risk) takes off 15 more points and red (high risk) takes off 40. Yellow (low risk) takes off nothing.
An inspection's score is the average over the regulations it looked at.
A home's score combines its last 3 inspections: the newest counts for 50%, the one before for 30% and the one before that for 20%. With fewer inspections the weights are scaled up to 100%.
The trend compares the newest inspection's score with the average of the earlier ones: 5 points or more higher is improving, 5 or more lower is declining, anything else is stable.
Homes are ranked by score within their county and among scored homes within 25 km. Homes with the same score share a rank.

Method v1. It uses only HIQA's published judgments, not our opinion, and is recalculated whenever a new report is published.

What the latest inspection found

Sacred Heart Hospital is a 63-bed single-storey nursing home near Carlow town centre, divided into three units. Residents generally feel happy and safe, with positive feedback about care, food, and activities. Bedrooms are mostly shared with en-suite facilities, and residents have personal storage. However, the building has ongoing maintenance issues, especially with the roof and fire safety measures, which have not been fully resolved despite previous inspections. The management is working on improvements but some concerns remain, particularly around premises upkeep and fire precautions.

Long-term care
Respite
rehabilitation
Dementia care
Palliative care

What inspectors liked

Residents reported being content and happy with the care provided
Staff interactions with residents were warm, kind, dignified, and respectful
There was a good variety of activities including chair yoga, dog therapy, live music, and cooking
Meals were well presented with choice and residents enjoyed the food
Residents had access to advocacy services and were involved in residents' forum meetings

What needed to improve

Ongoing roof leaks and water damage with incomplete remedial works
Fire safety issues including blocked escape routes, poor emergency lighting, and inadequate fire compartmentation
Maintenance issues such as worn flooring, damaged ceilings, and unmaintained gardens
Incomplete records for residents temporarily absent from the centre
Care plans had gaps, especially in wound care and safeguarding details

What residents said

“I am content with everything”
“I am very happy with the care provided”
“I have no complaints”

Staffing: There were some staff vacancies filled by a mix of agency and centre staff, with efforts to keep familiar agency staff for continuity. The management structure includes a new interim person in charge supported by assistant directors and clinical nurse managers.
Activities: There is a good variety of activities offered daily including chair yoga, dog therapy, live music, cooking classes, and one-to-one activities like nail painting and colouring. Residents reported enjoying these activities.
Food: Meals offer choices such as chicken or corned beef with desserts like apple tart or ice cream. Food is well presented and residents reported the food as very good. Staff provide respectful assistance at mealtimes without rushing residents.
Dementia: Has a dedicated dementia unit. The centre provides care for residents with dementia and employs a dementia nurse to support care.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 16 April 2026. Check the report for the full picture.Source report (PDF)

Inspection history

HIQA judges each regulation as Compliant Substantially compliant Not compliantRisk: Low Moderate High

16 April 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Sept 2026
5 compliant3 mostly3 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Persons in chargeCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementModerate risk · fix by 31 July 2027Not compliant
Complaints procedureLow risk · fix by 3 July 2026Mostly
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 September 2026Mostly
Residents' rightsCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
PremisesModerate risk · fix by 31 July 2027Not compliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsLow risk · fix by 3 July 2026Mostly
Fire precautionsModerate risk · fix by 31 December 2026Not compliant
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 August 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2025
5 compliant8 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
RecordsLow risk · fix by 15 August 2025Mostly
Governance and managementLow risk · fix by 6 June 2026Mostly
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Complaints procedureLow risk · fix by 30 December 2025Mostly
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 November 2025Mostly
Health careCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsLow risk · fix by 16 October 2025Mostly
PremisesLow risk · fix by 30 December 2026Mostly
Information for residentsCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsLow risk · fix by 15 September 2025Mostly
Risk managementCompliant
Fire precautionsModerate risk · fix by 30 December 2025Not compliant
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesLow risk · fix by 30 October 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
4 September 2024
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2024
11 compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
Quality and safety of care
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
31 October 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Jan 2024
1 compliant
ShowHide
A focused inspection of restrictive practices, such as bedrails, locked doors and sensor alarms, judged against HIQA's National Standards rather than the regulations. It isn't counted in the score.
Thematic inspection
Restrictive practices (overall judgment against the National Standards)Compliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)

Fair Deal price

This is the most the home can charge a week for residents on the Fair Deal scheme. Under Fair Deal you pay up to 80% of your income and 7.5% of the value of your assets a year, and the State pays the rest. Homes may charge extra for things like activities, hairdressing or newspapers, so ask about these when you call.

List	Published	Weekly price
HSE public homes	1 September 2026	€1,908

Registration conditions

Read the conditions HIQA attached to this registration

Condition 1: Subject to any prohibitions or restrictions contained in any other condition(s), the designated centre shall be operated at all times in accordance with the Statement of Purpose within the footprint of the designated centre on the floor plan received 27/03/2024. The registered provider shall only provide for the specific care and support needs, and services, within the facilities as set out the Statement of Purpose, as agreed with the Chief Inspector at the time of registration. Any changes to the specific care and support needs and services provided must be agreed in advance with the Chief Inspector. Condition 2: Only persons aged 18 years or older shall be accommodated at the designated centre at any time. Condition 3: The maximum number of persons that may be accommodated at the designated centre is: 63

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

St Fiacc's House
Voluntary
Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow· 1.3 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
Price not published
Inspection score
89
Beds
17 beds
Phone
059 914 3892
Hillview Convalescence & Nursing Home
Private
Carlow, Co. Carlow· 1.9 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,263 / week
Inspection score
64
Beds
54 beds
Phone
059 913 9407 / 0599139408
SignaCare Killerig
Private
Carlow, Co. Carlow· 9.2 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,247 / week
Inspection score
64
Beds
55 beds
Phone
059 916 3544
Beechwood Nursing Home
Private
Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow· 12 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,220 / week
Inspection score
73
Beds
57 beds
Phone
059 972 2366
Sonas Nursing Home Tullow
Private
Tullow, Co. Carlow· 15 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,277 / week
Inspection score
82
Beds
60 beds
Phone
059 918 1500
St Lazerian's House
Voluntary
Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow· 16 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
Price not published
Inspection score
81
Beds
18 beds
Phone
059 972 1146

Inspection score

75/ 100

Mostly compliant

Getting worse

Ranked 5 of 8 scored homes in Co. Carlow · 6 of 10 within 25 km

Leadership and management77

Quality and safety of care74

What went into the score

16 April 2026 · counts 50%3 not compliant · 5 of 11 compliant · 66
14 August 2025 · counts 30%1 not compliant · 5 of 14 compliant · 74
4 September 2024 · counts 20%11 of 11 compliant · 100

Fair Deal price is 50% above the Co. Carlow median of €1,268 a week.

How we calculate this score

Every regulation HIQA judged on an inspection earns points: Compliant 100, Substantially compliant 65, Not compliant 25.
Where the compliance plan rates the risk of a failing regulation, orange (moderate risk) takes off 15 more points and red (high risk) takes off 40. Yellow (low risk) takes off nothing.
An inspection's score is the average over the regulations it looked at.
A home's score combines its last 3 inspections: the newest counts for 50%, the one before for 30% and the one before that for 20%. With fewer inspections the weights are scaled up to 100%.
The trend compares the newest inspection's score with the average of the earlier ones: 5 points or more higher is improving, 5 or more lower is declining, anything else is stable.
Homes are ranked by score within their county and among scored homes within 25 km. Homes with the same score share a rank.

Method v1. It uses only HIQA's published judgments, not our opinion, and is recalculated whenever a new report is published.

What the latest inspection found

Long-term care
Respite
rehabilitation
Dementia care
Palliative care

What inspectors liked

Residents reported being content and happy with the care provided
Staff interactions with residents were warm, kind, dignified, and respectful
There was a good variety of activities including chair yoga, dog therapy, live music, and cooking
Meals were well presented with choice and residents enjoyed the food
Residents had access to advocacy services and were involved in residents' forum meetings

What needed to improve

Ongoing roof leaks and water damage with incomplete remedial works
Fire safety issues including blocked escape routes, poor emergency lighting, and inadequate fire compartmentation
Maintenance issues such as worn flooring, damaged ceilings, and unmaintained gardens
Incomplete records for residents temporarily absent from the centre
Care plans had gaps, especially in wound care and safeguarding details

What residents said

“I am content with everything”
“I am very happy with the care provided”
“I have no complaints”

Staffing: There were some staff vacancies filled by a mix of agency and centre staff, with efforts to keep familiar agency staff for continuity. The management structure includes a new interim person in charge supported by assistant directors and clinical nurse managers.
Activities: There is a good variety of activities offered daily including chair yoga, dog therapy, live music, cooking classes, and one-to-one activities like nail painting and colouring. Residents reported enjoying these activities.
Food: Meals offer choices such as chicken or corned beef with desserts like apple tart or ice cream. Food is well presented and residents reported the food as very good. Staff provide respectful assistance at mealtimes without rushing residents.
Dementia: Has a dedicated dementia unit. The centre provides care for residents with dementia and employs a dementia nurse to support care.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 16 April 2026. Check the report for the full picture.Source report (PDF)

Inspection history

HIQA judges each regulation as Compliant Substantially compliant Not compliantRisk: Low Moderate High

16 April 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Sept 2026
5 compliant3 mostly3 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Persons in chargeCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementModerate risk · fix by 31 July 2027Not compliant
Complaints procedureLow risk · fix by 3 July 2026Mostly
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 September 2026Mostly
Residents' rightsCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
PremisesModerate risk · fix by 31 July 2027Not compliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsLow risk · fix by 3 July 2026Mostly
Fire precautionsModerate risk · fix by 31 December 2026Not compliant
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 August 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2025
5 compliant8 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
RecordsLow risk · fix by 15 August 2025Mostly
Governance and managementLow risk · fix by 6 June 2026Mostly
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Complaints procedureLow risk · fix by 30 December 2025Mostly
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 November 2025Mostly
Health careCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsLow risk · fix by 16 October 2025Mostly
PremisesLow risk · fix by 30 December 2026Mostly
Information for residentsCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsLow risk · fix by 15 September 2025Mostly
Risk managementCompliant
Fire precautionsModerate risk · fix by 30 December 2025Not compliant
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesLow risk · fix by 30 October 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
4 September 2024
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2024
11 compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
Quality and safety of care
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
31 October 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Jan 2024
1 compliant
ShowHide
A focused inspection of restrictive practices, such as bedrails, locked doors and sensor alarms, judged against HIQA's National Standards rather than the regulations. It isn't counted in the score.
Thematic inspection
Restrictive practices (overall judgment against the National Standards)Compliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)

Fair Deal price

List	Published	Weekly price
HSE public homes	1 September 2026	€1,908

Registration conditions

Read the conditions HIQA attached to this registration

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

St Fiacc's House

Voluntary

Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow· 1.3 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: Price not published
Inspection score: 89
Beds: 17 beds
Phone: 059 914 3892

Hillview Convalescence & Nursing Home

Private

Carlow, Co. Carlow· 1.9 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,263 / week
Inspection score: 64
Beds: 54 beds
Phone: 059 913 9407 / 0599139408

SignaCare Killerig

Private

Carlow, Co. Carlow· 9.2 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,247 / week
Inspection score: 64
Beds: 55 beds
Phone: 059 916 3544

Beechwood Nursing Home

Private

Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow· 12 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,220 / week
Inspection score: 73
Beds: 57 beds
Phone: 059 972 2366

Sonas Nursing Home Tullow

Private

Tullow, Co. Carlow· 15 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,277 / week
Inspection score: 82
Beds: 60 beds
Phone: 059 918 1500

St Lazerian's House

Voluntary

Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow· 16 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: Price not published
Inspection score: 81
Beds: 18 beds
Phone: 059 972 1146

Inspection score

What went into the score

What the latest inspection found

What inspectors liked

What needed to improve

What residents said

Inspection history

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Thematic inspection

Fair Deal price

Registration conditions

Other homes nearby

Inspection score

What went into the score

What the latest inspection found

What inspectors liked

What needed to improve

What residents said

Inspection history

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Thematic inspection

Fair Deal price

Registration conditions

Other homes nearby