PRESS RELEASE -

30 of total 37 HIQA recommendations now successfully completed

Fine Gael Longford/Westmeath Senator Nicky McFadden has welcomed today’s (Tuesday) publication of HIQA’s second inspection report into Loughloe Nursing Home and has urged the Government to reconsider closing the facility due to the fact that a raft of improvements have been made since the publication of the first report.

“The essential care provided at Loughloe House was never in doubt - a fact that was evident in the public outrage at proposed plans to close the facility..

“Public facilities such as this, which benefit the local elderly community should not be closed down at the first sign of problems. Instead adequate funding must be made available to ensure satisfactory service provision.

“Of the 37 actions recommended on foot of the initial inspection at the Home, 30 have now been carried out successfully. It would be an outrage if Loughloe House was to be closed now, forcing those residing there to find another home.

“The HIQA report on Loughloe House found that the standard of hygiene had improved significantly, that the centre was more comfortable and that patients were extremely happy and receiving care in an unrushed manner.

“I do not accept that, as a caring community, it is to anyone’s advantage to close local public facilities for the elderly. Of course, people should be allowed to choose between public and private care services and, under the Fair Deal Scheme, to opt for their preferred centre. However I fervently believe that public facilities for the elderly are a critical element within local communities. I will not give up on this issue. Very often local public facilities offer a better standard of care than the private alternatives on offer. The people of Athlone have made their feelings about Loughloe House crystal clear. I am calling on the Government now to listen.”