RE LET DOWN - Ó MURCHU
that some of these patients were transferred to Dealgan Nursing home under the HSE Nursing Homes Support Scheme or Fair Deal Scheme.
Deputy Ó Murchú commented: ‘ The transfer of patients from acute hospitals to nursing homes before and at the start of outbreak is something that has been raised time and time again with officials but these figures are only coming into the public domain because of a FOI request.’
Speaking at the COVID-19 committee last week Deputy Ó Murchú asked when the HSE became aware of the problem of the COVID-19 cluster in Dealgan House, which at its peak, saw 60% of staff off sick through illness or self-isolation,
He was told by Mr. David Walsh, HSE, that the first two suspect cases in Dealgan House Nursing Home became known on March 31 and the confirmation of diagnosis was on 4 April. ‘From that time, Midlands Louth Meath community healthcare organisation, was involved with the nursing home and subsequently on or around 17 March the RCSI hospitals group made a decision to become more centrally involved.’ Mr Walshe added that ‘In the interim period, however, a number of supports had been given, including staff supports from both the acute hospital and community setting as well as personal protection equipment, PPE, infection control advice.
He confirmed to Deputy Ó Murchú that it was around April 17 that ‘ the senior staff in the RCSI hos-hospitals group became so concerned that they decided, by agreement withwith the nursing home, that it was appropriate to put in a bigger team and management team to as-assist them through the process.’
Deputy Ó Murchu said that he was ‘glad to see that HIQA is carryingcarrying out an inspection and is talking to families. I hope that will arrest any difficulties and highlight any issues that will be built into wider operational protocols across the board so we do not have another Dealgan House scenario.’