HSE plan to repurpose Nenagh nursing home sparks protest
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A protest will be held this weekend at the HSE’s plan to repurpose a nursing home for hospital use in Tipperary.
In recent weeks, families of older people and staff have raised serious concerns at the sudden change in plans.
The newly-built nursing home in Nenagh had been expected to open in March with residents in an older, also HSE-run, nursing home preparing to transfer.
The multi-million euro building is now to host a privately-run rehabilitation service in support of University Hospital Limerick instead.
The decision has been branded by local Labour TD Alan Kelly as “disgraceful”.
Despite the concerns, health minister Stephen Donnelly has now doubled down on the decision.
Writing to Mr Kelly, he said: “The facility will be a collaborative partnership between the HSE and the successful provider.” The letter said the nursing home, a community nursing unit, received investment of €20.2m.
“It is intended that the arrangement will be reviewed within one year and that Nenagh CNU will open for long-term residential care services 12 to 18 months after the contract commences with the private provider,” the minister said.
Mr Kelly said this is “very worrying” for older people in the area.
“I have so many families looking for care for their loved ones and they can’t get it,” he said.
“I’d like to ask Stephen Donnelly where are they going to go now? Where will those from Nenagh and surrounds who have worked hard all their lives go now in their final years?”
The HSE has said the older St Conlon’s will remain open. However, this was already under pressure with warnings from the regulator Hiqa to limit its intake due to concerns about the premises.
“Everyone knows we were screwed in 2009 when Fianna Fáil closed our A&E without proper planning for the future of the Mid West. We are not going to be screwed again with this decision,” Mr Kelly said.
He expects a large turnout at Saturday’s protest, telling the “I know this is the biggest issue coming up with people on the doorsteps when canvassing.” In a message to the Nenagh Community Group, Mark Quinn of the Siptu Health Division said they also remain concerned.
The first communication about this plan from the HSE was with local TDs not with staff or families, he said.
“At no time did the HSE consult with the trade unions before this decision was made. Neither was there any consultation with our members within St Conlon’s Nursing Unit,” he said.
He added: “The trade unions have referred these issues to the Workplace Relations Commission because the HSE is in breach of the Information and Consultation Act 2006 and the national agreements governing service delivery options within the Public Sector.” While the communication from Mr Donnelly indicated trade unions were consulted, this was not the case, he said.
Tender documents published by the HSE indicate the contract will be of 24 months in duration, and the rehabilitation unit will cater for mainly older people.