Hopes that former welfare home will reopen in 2022
It is hoped that the former St Francis Welfare Home in Fermoy may reopen in the new year, as a spokesperson for the HSE recently confirmed that the closure of the facility was ‘temporary’.
Questions issued to the HSE by local councillor, William O’Leary, saw a response issued last week that noted services would resume once a medical officer is appointed.
“St Francis’s Home had provided transitional care during the Covid-19 pandemic for clients in the acute sector who were transitioning to a home setting. It was closed on a temporary basis from the 2nd of July 2021 due to the unavailability of medical officer cover.
“The plan is to resume services once we can secure medical officer cover. The recruitment process for same is currently actively underway,” the spokesperson said.
Cllr O’Leary also queried as to the availability of respite care, an issue which people in Fermoy and surrounding areas have queried in recent times, as reported on previously by The Avondhu.
The HSE spokesperson confirmed that respite beds are available within the Community Hospital section of the Fermoy campus, however, availability of respite care is dependent on bed availability.
“Respite beds are provided in the Community Hospital section of the Fermoy campus. Nursing management in Fermoy Community Hospital continues to assess referrals on an individual basis in relation to the provision of respite services and also palliative care admissions, which support families in the community, who struggle with care demands at end of life.
“The availability of respite is dependent on bed availability within the limitations of current Infection Prevention and Control measures and the prevailing conditions at any time, with regard to positive Covid rates in the community and the hospital itself,” the spokesperson added.
It was noted that the Cluain Dara Day Care Centre, situated in Duntahane, Fermoy has now resumed provision of day care services also.
REOPENING NEED TO BE ‘PRIORITISED’
Speaking with TheAvondhu, Cllr William O’Leary stressed the need to expedite the reopening of the former St Francis Welfare Home for the provision of respite care locally, and as a stepdown or transitional facility for those leaving acute hospital care.
“There is a shortage of respite beds at present and a shortage of step-down care beds. When you pair that with the vast amount of money spent on the facility before it reopened, it’s very important that it is reopened as soon as possible.
“The appointment of a chief medical officer has to be expedited as people in Fermoy and surrounding areas are dependent on this facility. I’m hoping that after Christmas, the facility will be reopened and provide classes and day services as well as the much-needed respite care. I am asking that this reopening be prioritised,” Cllr O’Leary said.