Staff struggle with psychological toll of patients’ deaths

THE bright sunshine and colourful flowers in the grounds of Dealgan House Nursing Home belie the tragedy which fell within its walls when 22 residents died during a cluster of COVID-19 cases. Many other residents fell ill, as did staff, and the emotional scars left by the traumatic time linger in the memories of those working in the privately run nursing home as well as the families of the victims of this cruel new disease.

Visitors to the nursing home are welcomed by posters highlighting the new hygiene protocols and everyone entering must have their temperature checked.

The 84 bed nursing home was founded in 2001 by sisters Nora Byrne and Catherine Farrelly, who were both experienced nurses, who wanted to provide a homely and caring facility for the elderly. They are still directors of the company which runs the home. Catherine’s son Eoin, who has a background in the motor industry, has been Chief Executive Officer since 2015.

The sisters brought with them an ethos which was centred on nursing and patient care, says Catriona Hande, Director of Nursing, who was one of the first members of staff to contract COVID-19.

She was, she admits ‘very ill’, but doesn’t want to dwell on herself.

Instead she offers her sympathy to the families who lost loved ones. ‘It was very sad and tragic for them.’

‘It’s like a family here and that’s not a cliche.’

Catriona, like Assistant Director of Nursing Dolores Conroy, worked in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. She remembers being on duty in Daisy Hill Hospital when 18 British soldiers were killed in the 1979 Warrenpoint bombing. But not even caring for patients with the most gruesome injuries prepared her for the devastation wrought by COVID-19.

‘We were in a global pandemic, it’s very sad and tragic but it’s not as though we brought it in here in our pockets,’ says Catriona, revealing that the publicity and abuse which members of staff have received have had a huge effect on them at a time when they are suffering from the psychological effect of seeing residents, whom they regarded as family, die.

She fights back the tears as she describes how the nursing home struggled to cope as the novel coronavirus took hold, affecting both residents and staff.

She had led the twice-daily briefings for staff before contracting COVID-19 at the beginning of later. Days later Eoin also fell ill, but managed to continue doing administrative work from his sick bed.

Dolores was left as the senior member in charge, and Eoin pays tribute to her hard work and dedication in providing the best possible care to residents in difficult circumstances.

Catriona points out that many of their residents have several underlying conditions, making them extremely vulnerable to illnesses such as COVID-19.