Operator vows to pursue all legal avenues to keep Co Fermanagh care home open
ALL “legal remedies” will be explored in a bid to keep a Co Fermanagh nursing home open, its operator has pledged.
Ashbrooke Care Home, a 64bed home for the elderly in Enniskillen, was ordered to shut its doors last Friday by health authorities.
It is operated by Runwood Homes, which claimed it did not get prior notification of the closure and said that an inspection in May found safe delivery of care.
It is the first time Northern Ireland’s healthcare watchdog the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) has taken such immediate action.
New accommodation will have to be found for its 39 residents, who are clients of the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
One patient has been moved so far.
The RQIA in its findings conern sidered that there was a “serious risk to the life, health and wellbeing of all those living at Ashbrooke, and that assurances from the provider were not sufficient to address the risks identified”.
The inspectorate noted bad smells along with defective equipment, fire risks and a lack of clarity about management of the home.
It has led to calls for the West- Trust to step in temporarily and take control of the Ashbrooke Care Home.
Yesterday Gavin O’Hare-Connolly, who is group operations director for Runwood Homes, instructed solicitors to pursue “all legal remedies to keep the doors open”.
It comes after a meeting was held in the home on Thursday night with families of the residents.
Mr O’Hare-Connolly said: “In a meeting at the home last night families said they fully supported our decision to work with the Western Trust and RQIA to retain a residential facility at Ashbrooke.
“They asked me to underline that despite recent issues, they are satisfied with the care their loved ones have received and the dedication of our staff.
“We are humbled by their support and our aim now is to continue providing the very best care we can on that site.
“On behalf of the company, I wish to express once again our sincere apologies to the residents, their families and the staff for the management failures that resulted in the RQIA’s action against Ashbrooke Care Home.
“As the newly-appointed group operations director, my priority in the last week was to bring in our national health and safety team to conduct a complete review of all our facilities in Northern Ireland.
“We did so in conjunction with the RQIA, which has given all of them a clean bill of health.
“My focus now is to respond positively to requests from our Enniskillen families to continue caring for elderly residents in their own community.
“This is a duty and responsibility we take very seriously and we will explore every avenue to try and make that happen.”
Local politicians have also voiced their support for the home to remain open amid fears some may be relocated as far away as the north west.