Loughloe standoff
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
THE HEALTH Service Executive may be forced into what is potentially an embarrassing u-turn as they now look set to miss out on their proposed deadline to close the inpatient unit at Loughloe House, initially two months from when they first made the announcement on May 6.
The delay in the HSE's plan to close the in-patient facility from when they first unveiled the news to residents, their families and to staff some eight weeks ago has been brought on by a point-blank refusal by some residents and their family representatives to support the move from Loughloe House.
From 26 residents when the HSE first made the announcement that they were going to close down the inpatient facility at Loughloe and relocate those who reside there, some four residents have died while 13 now remain and the HSE have been force, legally, to maintain services until such time as a move is organised.
A statement from the HSE to The Voice on the apparent standoff stated that the HSE is maintaining proceeding with the closure of the facility, however, "the health and welfare of the residents concerned" remained paramount in moving forward and the Executive was still hopeful of an amicable resolution to the situation.
“The HSE is proceeding with the closure of the unit and continues to consult with residents and their families to assist them in accessing more suitable accommodation. Since the initial inspection the number of residents has reduced by more than 50%.
“The HSE accepts that this has been a very stressful time for the residents, their family and the staff at the facility however it should be stressed that this decision has been taken to protect the health and welfare of the residents concerned."
The HSE maintains that the publish HIQA report "confirms the rationale for the decision to close" the once 40 bed welfare home and have already begun reducing the full running of Loughloe House, having moved all remaining residents into one wing of the home.
It is something which Loughloe House campaigner and Athlone Town Councillor Paul Hogan has labelled as "disgraceful", but while voicing concerns over the care being received and the well-being of the remaining residents, he said that he is confident that the proposed closure deadline will pass when it does later this week.
“Obviously the ill-conceived notion of withdrawing staff and services completely as threatened by Regional Health Manager Joe Ruane in a bid to force the closure of Loughloe House is exactly that, ill-conceived. It clearly states in the Health Act of 2007 that the duty of care remains with the provider right up and until every resident in Loughloe House has left the premises.
“Fact is and I state this again, the HSE has tried to use the published HIQA reports as ways in which reinforce the plans to close Loughloe House. However, now after reading the initial report and the subsequent report released in the past fortnight, their argument doesn't stand up and doesn't support their actions. We know that of the 37 physical recommendations as outlined in the first report as areas of improvement, 34 of them are complete while two are nearing completion and one is outstanding. On what basis now is the HSE closing Loughloe House if its not to make spending cuts?"
He concluded by saying that the remaining residents are adamant that they are going to stay "in what they consider to be their home. This whole process has being hugely stressful for the residents, not to mention their families and it is with huge regret that since the announcement was made on May 6 that four of the residents present has since passed away.
“I am calling on the HSE to stop their proposed closure and reinstate all services for the people of Athlone. I demand decent healthcare provision for the people of Athlone. It is the very least we, as a community, deserve", concluded Cllr Hogan said.
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