ELEVEN ELDERLY people were still living at Avondale Nursing Home in Callan, Co Kilkenny, yesterday as the Health Service Executive began the process of finding them alternative accommodation in the area.
One woman whose uncle has lived at Avondale for the past 10 years said she had her own concerns about the facility before hearing in recent days about the intervention by the Health Information and Quality Authority.
“I rang Hiqa myself about six weeks ago. I didn’t know if anyone else had complaints about them,” Maria Ronan, a niece of Billy Ronan from Ballykeeffe in Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny, said.
“I’m almost relieved that he [her uncle] is being moved. But for Billy’s sake, that’s his home now and he’s going to be upset,” Ms Ronan said.
It’s understood the owner, Miriam Holmes, told some relatives that “temporary” transfers were being organised as the nursing home was to be renovated. “I didn’t know it was happening immediately,” Ms Ronan said. “Yesterday [Thursday] morning Miriam rang me at 9 o’clock and she was still insisting it was only for a few weeks.”
Attempts to contact Ms Holmes were unsuccessful last night.
Community care manager with the HSE, Breda Kavanagh, said it was a surprise to the families when they realised their loved ones would be moved.
“There was a lot of concern because there was a lot of uncertainty yesterday,” she said. “But people now know what the situation is and plans are being discussed and I believe they’ll all be satisfied by the time it’s all completed.”
The authority notified the HSE on Wednesday night about its concerns regarding the welfare of residents at Avondale and, after spending the day at the facility on Thursday, inspectors made the decision to seek a court order.