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14/09/2018
Concerns Raised Over Closure Of Drumclay Care Home In Enniskillen
Concerns have been raised over the planned closure of Drumclay Care Home in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
The Home's 34 residents and the families affected were informed of the planned closure during a meeting on Wednesday, 12 September.
It is understood the facility is shutting down due to ongoing problems with recruiting enough skilled nurses.
Sinn Féin MLA, Colm Gildernew, said the news "is particularly distressing news for residents, families and staff at the home".
"It's crucial that the Western Trust find suitable, alternative accommodation which meets the needs of the residents who currently live at Drumclay Care Home," he said.
"Residential care is already in high demand within the area and today's closure will not help the situation.
"The Western Trust must also maintain regular contact with the families and residents to ensure there is minimal disruption caused when alternative accommodation is found."
Mr Gildernew added he would seek an urgent meeting with the Western Trust "to get clarification on the workforce challenges facing the Western Trust and the impact this is having on the delivery of services".
"Earlier this week I requested an urgent meeting with the Independent Healthcare Providers on the challenges facing the sector and issues around the sustainability of their workforce," he said.
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, said he was saddened to hear of the closure.
"My office has spoken to the authorities and will be seeking assurances that suitable alternative accommodation is found for all of the residents that meets their individual needs," he said.
"I am concerned to hear that the closure of the home was due to an ongoing inability to recruit the quality and quantity of skilled nurses. Recruiting and maintaining a stable nursing workforce has been a major challenge for care homes over the past number of years and the problem is not unique to Northern Ireland.
"If we are to provide safe care for our growing ageing population there must be evidence of proper workforce planning."
(LM/CM)
The Home's 34 residents and the families affected were informed of the planned closure during a meeting on Wednesday, 12 September.
It is understood the facility is shutting down due to ongoing problems with recruiting enough skilled nurses.
Sinn Féin MLA, Colm Gildernew, said the news "is particularly distressing news for residents, families and staff at the home".
"It's crucial that the Western Trust find suitable, alternative accommodation which meets the needs of the residents who currently live at Drumclay Care Home," he said.
"Residential care is already in high demand within the area and today's closure will not help the situation.
"The Western Trust must also maintain regular contact with the families and residents to ensure there is minimal disruption caused when alternative accommodation is found."
Mr Gildernew added he would seek an urgent meeting with the Western Trust "to get clarification on the workforce challenges facing the Western Trust and the impact this is having on the delivery of services".
"Earlier this week I requested an urgent meeting with the Independent Healthcare Providers on the challenges facing the sector and issues around the sustainability of their workforce," he said.
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, said he was saddened to hear of the closure.
"My office has spoken to the authorities and will be seeking assurances that suitable alternative accommodation is found for all of the residents that meets their individual needs," he said.
"I am concerned to hear that the closure of the home was due to an ongoing inability to recruit the quality and quantity of skilled nurses. Recruiting and maintaining a stable nursing workforce has been a major challenge for care homes over the past number of years and the problem is not unique to Northern Ireland.
"If we are to provide safe care for our growing ageing population there must be evidence of proper workforce planning."
(LM/CM)
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