PRESS RELEASE -

Harney’s predilection for private health care continues

Fine Gael Longford/ Westmeath Senator, Nicky McFadden, has today (Monday) said the decision by the HSE to close Loughloe House Nursing Home, which has housed residents for 20 years, must be put on hold until a HIQA report on the facility is made public.

“Last Thursday 30 staff members and 26 residents were informed at separate meetings that Loughloe House is to be closed within two months. However, HIQA has informed me that a report it carried out on the nursing home, has still not been responded to by the HSE.

“News that residents, some of whom have resided at Loughloe House for decades, are to be relocated to private nursing facilities has caused widespread upset and distress. Residents, especially those who are relatively fit and mobile have told me that they are comfortable in their surroundings, familiar with the other residents and staff and consider the facility their home. A move to alternative accommodation is completely anathema to them.

“The content of this HIQA report should at least be made public before any decision on the future of the facility is made. So too should the number of inspections the facility has been subject to and the opportunities Loughloe House has been given to rectify any inadequacies. If the facility is as bad as has been alluded to by the HSE, how has this been allowed to happen and what steps have been taken by the Executive to satisfactorily resource the centre?

“There is a genuine fear for the residents, some of whom are in their nineties and who have no family to speak on their behalf. I am concerned that the shock of having to move to unfamiliar surroundings will cause them undue stress and adversely affect their health and well being.

“Any possibility that a care centre has not been adequately staffed or funded, allowing it to fall into a state of disrepair which facilitates its closure, absolutely must not be tolerated. Minister Harney’s announcement in Athlone yesterday that the closure of Loughloe House will free up staff for another local facility were inconsiderate and dismissive of residents’ feelings. Her predilection for the privatisation of our health care service continues unabated. I am calling on this decision to be stalled, at least until the content of HIQA’s report have been made known.”