Church calls for inquiry into nursing home deaths

THE Catholic Church has called for inquiries into the level of deaths from coronavirus in Irish nursing homes.

More than half the deaths from Covid-19 have been in care homes, and relatives of those who died in some of the hardest hit centres have already called for investigations into what went wrong.

An Oireachtas committee heard this week how some nursing home staff had to wear painters’ overalls because they could not get proper personal protective equipment.

Meanwhile, another nine people have died from Covid-19, and another 59 cases have been confirmed.

It brings the total deaths from the disease in this country to 1,651 and the total confirmed cases to 24,929.

The call from the bishops comes as the HSE has backtracked on its controversial decision not to test all patients being transferred to nursing homes from acute hospitals – more than two-and-a-half months after the sector first asked for the measure.

Yesterday, the Irish Bishops’ Conference said lessons must be learned from what had gone wrong, and that inquiries were needed into how nursing homes had been so badly affected.

The Council for Healthcare of the Irish Episcopal Conference said it wished to acknowledge the tremendous work of doctors, nurses, administrators, chaplains and other staff in healthcare facilities across the country.

‘Their tireless efforts have helped to curb the spread of Covid-19 and saved the lives of many people,’ the bishops said.

‘Their dedication has been a source of inspiration and hope for all of us at this difficult time. We thank them sincerely and assure them of continuing support.’

However, the bishops added: ‘These past few months have seen much sadness and loss and we pray especially for the grieving relatives and friends of those who have died because of Covid-19. Our elderly parents, grandparents and relatives are among the most vulnerable during this pandemic and, thankfully, for many of them strict cocooning appears to have been an effective strategy in suppressing the spread of the virus.

‘It is distressing, however, that more than half of all Covid-19 deaths have occurred in nursing care facilities.

‘For various reasons, Covid19 has had its most damaging impact among the residents in such settings.’

The Bishops’ Conference said it would welcome appropriate inquiries into why nursing homes were hit so badly by the virus.

‘Lessons must be learned. More and more people will be availing of nursing care in the years ahead,’ the bishops said.

‘Every resident is someone’s mother, father, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or friend.

‘They have played their part over many decades in contributing to their communities and to the economy. The lives of those who live in such facilities should be valued, respected, and enhanced.’

Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly has said that key State organisations left nursing homes and their residents isolated in the early days of the pandemic.

The bishops added: ‘At this time, the coronavirus crisis presents an opportunity for society to reflect on where it stands in relation to the elderly and to others who are most vulnerable among us.’

‘Past few months have seen much sadness’