ST VINCENT'S: HSE statement
The HSE has issued the following statement today on the decision to relocate some 35 patients from St Vincent's in Athlone:
'Following an electrical report which highlighted a number of risks including fire and power outages leading to services failures affecting lighting, heating and all electrical equipment it has proved necessary to transfer the residents from St Vincent’s Community Care Centre Athlone to alternative accommodation on a phased basis over two or three days.
The HSE has taken the necessary mitigating actions including the deployment of extra staff for the duration of the transfer.
Communication with the residents, their families and members of staff commenced last evening. A residents advocate was contacted and is in attendance at the Unit.
The residents are being transferred on a temporary basis while a full rewire of electrical power services and an upgrade of associated infrastructure throughout the premises is carried out. Tenders for consulting engineers have been sought and an appointment is imminent.
The majority of the residents will be transferred to current vacant beds in St Joseph’s Care Centre, Longford and Birr Community Nursing Unit. Some residents will also be transferred to other public and private nursing homes.
Discussions are taking place with staff in regard to temporary redeployment.
The HSE wishes to confirm its commitment to long stay beds in Athlone through the reopening of St Vincents as soon as possible and in the medium term the opening of the dedicated 50 bed Unit on the Clonbrusk site.
The Health and Information Quality Authority have been informed.'