'One agenda... to make money' Laois councillors support Stradbally nursing home takeover

Two Laois councillors have reacted to the takeover of the private Laois nursing home by the HSE.

The HSE formally took over Droimnín Nursing Home in Stradbally this week, following a court order in Portlaoise District Court. Read full report here.

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan said it was a difficult decision that had to be made, to protect residents.

"My thoughts are primarily with the residents of Droimnin Nursing Home, and their extended families. The news that the HSE will take control in some ways brings to an end the uncertainty of the past number of months. Families justifiably expect the health and welfare of their loved ones to be protected and for their mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles to be appropriately cared for with dignity and respect to the fore at all times.

"In reading the recent HIQA inspection reports, the shortcomings are there in black and white. Ultimately, vulnerable people must be protected, sometimes difficult decisions must be made in order to safeguard those at risk," she said.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy, like Cllr Phelan lives in the area and represents the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District.

"The patients' wellbeing is the first and most important thing. I hope that the HSE now run it on a permanent basis and financing it. In my experience working in St Vincent's hospital run by the HSE, they do an excellent job. It will be far better for the patients.

"I've an issue with these private companies all along, because they have one agenda and that's to make money. I'm not suggesting that all of them have problems. But I certainly think the HSE run a far better show. They should put more community hospitals out there, more Mountmellicks, more Shaens.

"The staff that I know that work there from Stradbally are excellent hard working people. I'm certainly not putting it onto those being the problem. The staff actually moved in and lived there during Covid, and went way beyond what would be expected of any staff. They are very loyal staff and they had an excellent rapport with the patients, anyone I visited," Cllr McEvoy said.

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"The lack of resources is the major problem, when you haven't enough staff to look after them there's always going to be problems. 

The fact that it didn't improve from the original court appearance up to yesterday, it doesn't sound good, I'm disappointed. It was the right decision by the HSE," Cllr McEvoy said.