Covid-19 cases are confirmed at St Aidan’s
THOSE AFFECTED ‘DOING WELL’ OR ALREADY RECOVERED
RESIDENTS and staff at St Aidan’s Services are doing very well after ‘a small number’ of positive Covid-19 tests at the facility.
Confirming the cases, CEO Eimear Mannion said those affected were recovering well and that she is extremely proud of how the organisation has dealt with the situation.
‘We have had a small number of Covid positive tests in both residents and staff, and everyone is doing very well or is already fully recovered at this stage. Most who tested positive had mild symptoms and recovered at home in a few days,’ said
Ms Mannion. ‘We have also had a good number tested who came back negative, so it is important for people to realise that having the symptoms does not mean that you test positive for Covid.
‘The most important thing for everyone to know is that all our residents are doing very well. I am very proud of how our organisation is managing, and I hope things continue going well for us coping with Covid-19 over the next few months,’ she said. Mass testing, facilitated by emergency teams, began at St Aidan’s Services over the bank holiday weekend.
STAFF AND clients at St Aidan’s Services in Gorey have faced Covid-19 head-on and are now coming out the other side, after a number of people tested positive at the facility.
Eimear Mannion, who took up the role of CEO at St Aidan’s at the start of the year, confirmed this week that there were some cases of the virus at the organisation.
‘We have had a small number of Covid positive tests in both residents and staff, and everyone is doing very well or is already fully recovered at this stage. Most who tested positive had mild symptoms and recovered at home in a few days, which is also important for people to be aware of.
‘We have also had a good number tested who came back negative, so it is important for people to realise that having the symptoms does not mean that you test positive for Covid. But the most important thing for everyone to know is that all our residents are doing very well. I am very proud of how our organisation is managing, and I hope things continue going well for us coping with Covid-19 over the next few months.
‘We are confident that we have done a very good job preparing for this crisis. We took decisions quickly and implemented them swiftly, and we continue to do a good job as we manage through. The systems and processes we put in place give us the best chance of protecting everyone at this time’.
Mass testing of residents and staff facilitated by emergency teams began over the Bank Holiday weekend and will continue at the organisation.
Ms Mannion said that the Covid-19 crisis has been a big challenge, but that kindness and understanding from all offers relief.
‘This is certainly a very big challenge to come my way having only started in my new role, but I am lucky to have a great team supporting me. The senior managers and house managers have worked tirelessly for the last number of weeks to implement all the requirements. All our staff have worked brilliantly together as a team, we couldn’t manage without them’.
Staff and residents are coping well with the changes to the regular routine as day services remain closed.
‘Our day services and respite staff are working in our residences at the moment because the residents would normally attend the day services. This means many of our staff are now working totally different work patterns, different days, shifts and locations than they normally would, and often we need to change their roster with very short notice. The staff have been just fantastic responding to our different work arrangements and the flexibility they have shown has allowed us to implement all the required changes very quickly.
‘But these changes can be challenging for our residents to understand what is going on and why everything has changed so much. However, with the support of our staff, our residents have adjusted well. Some are greatly enjoying the slower pace of life, while others find staying at home difficult, it’s just the same as all households,’ said Ms Mannion.
Regular contact is being maintained with day services users for non-residents to offer support and advice to families, and it’s hoped that soon St Aidan’s can provide its day service again.
Communication is also ongoing with the HSE and HIQA on a daily basis.
‘We are receiving guidance and communications on a daily basis from the HSE, Public Health, HIQA and the Federation of Voluntary Bodies which is our umbrella organisation. It is definitely a challenge to keep on top of all the guidance and to implement all the requirements and recommendations in a timely manner. However, we have a good system internally, so that senior management reviews the documents, and then they are passed then to relevant people to implement or to pass onto staff.
‘We have received a lot of support from Wexford Disability Services in the HSE, they have helped us with staff training, sourcing PPE supplies such as masks, gloves and gowns, as well as with resolving lots of other queries that arise on a daily basis’.
St Aidan’s Services also received donations of PPE gear from a number of places locally.
‘We have adequate PPE for our needs now. At the start we had some shortages, but local organisations helped us, such as Gorey Community School and Merck Arklow who made donations. I would like to thank everyone who has made donations or offers of help during this time.
‘We also have some members of the community fundraising for us at the moment, which is just great because, with all our day services closed, we have no fee income from there now. Thank you to our whole community who support us in so many ways, we are very grateful for all your support,’ she concluded.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can visit www. saintaidansservices.com.
EVERYONE IS DOING VERY WELL OR IS ALREADY FULLY RECOVERED... THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE DOING VERY WELL