*Joe Carey TD (FG). Photograph: Natasha Barton
STAFFING deficits have impacted on the amount of admissions that Ennistymon Community Nursing Unit (CNU) can cater for.
Long stay and short stay respite care is provided at the North Clare facility for older persons in the community. Currently, the 17 long stay beds are all occupied with a waiting list already in place. Admission to long stay care was not impacted by the pandemic, the HSE have confirmed.
Within two multi-occupancy rooms at Ennistymon CNU, there are eight respite beds. a spokesperson for HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare stated, “during the first phases of the pandemic long-term care facilities were closed to respite admissions, however emergency respite was facilitated where possible. As the services opened, admission guidance for respite required the patient to isolate in a single room suite for seven days in line with public health guidelines”. Remedial works were completed in Ennistymon CNU to reconfigure a single room with an en-suite.
The spokesperson confirmed that admissions to respite in Ennistymon were impacted by “current staffing deficits” with an ongoing recruitment campaign to address this.
She added, “HSE management are committed to the resumption of respite services in Ennistymon CNU and are actively working on delivering this much needed service”.
Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) made public representations to both the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) and HSE on empty wards at the facility. He described Ennistymon CNU as “a wonderful facility with hard working committed staff that provides tremendous care to the local community. It is a critical asset for North Clare”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy Carey detailed that constituents in North Clare shared their concern on the lack of access to respite and short stay beds at the facility. “It’s critical that admissions to respite and short stay beds in Ennistymon Community Hospital begins without further delay. I acknowledge the HSE’s commitment further to my representations that they are actively working on delivering upon their commitment to recommence these much needed community services for North Clare”.
He added, “The HSE commitment to re-open these vital beds needs to be honoured as soon as possible. Respite and short stay beds provide a lifeline for families and their loved ones. It’s really important that every effort is made to bring these vital beds back into immediate use”.
