THE CLOSURE of another nursing home was confirmed yesterday arising from a court order from proceedings brought by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
The owners of the 30-bed nursing home at Portlaw, Co Waterford, said they were “very sorry” that elderly residents would have to find alternative accommodation in the run-up to Christmas.
Woodlock Residential Care said yesterday that its nursing home is not sustainable because it is in a 160-year-old listed building.
It would not be “economically viable” to make the investment necessary to bring it up to Hiqa standards, while its listed status restricts the type of changes that could be made, according to the company.
However, Hiqa said its decision was because of “persistent non-compliance with regulations and lack of fitness on the part of the provider”.
Hiqa secured a court order at Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Monday evening to cancel the nursing home’s registration.
Inspection reports compiled by Hiqa inspectors will be published at a later date.
The facility was taken over on Monday by the HSE, which is now trying to find suitable accommodation for its 20 residents.
It is understood the HSE is optimistic that residents will be given new homes in the Co Waterford area in the near future. The care facility employs about 30 people.
A spokesman for Woodlock Residential Care said it was “unfortunate” that the nursing home had to close at this time. “We are very sorry,” he said. “We fought the fight for as long as we could.”
The company, which is owned by members of the Kelliher family in Killarney, Co Kerry, took over the building on a lease in 2007.
The property, on Portlaw’s Carrick Road, was built in the first half of the 19th century and has been used as a nursing home for almost 80 years. It is owned by the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny religious order, who ran it as a nursing home until 2007.
The court order cancelling the home’s care order was made under sections 57 and 64 of the Health Act 2007 and directed the HSE to take charge of Woodlock and make “immediate arrangements” for alternative accommodation.
An original decision by Hiqa to cancel the home’s registration was appealed by the owners, but they decided in court on Monday to consent to the order and the refusal of their registration.
The HSE said yesterday its priorities are to “ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the 20 residents”. It is working with staff of the nursing home to assess and cater for the residents’ needs and secure alternative accommodation, in co-operation with residents’ families. The HSE wants to “ensure the home is closed at an early date.
“The HSE, having been made aware of the situation regarding this private nursing home recently by Hiqa, acknowledges that this is a difficult time for the residents and their families and would like to reassure them that their wellbeing is of paramount importance. Residents and their next-of-kin will be consulted and fully involved in their transfer to other available approved facilities.”