FERMOY WELFARE HOME TO CLOSE ITS DOORS
Residents and staff at St Francis’ Welfare Home have been reacting this Thursday morning, February 9th, to confirmation from the HSE that the Fermoy unit is to close. The devastating revelation came in the HSE South Service report, which was released to members of the regional health forum on Thursday.
Speaking after receipt of the report forum member and Cork County Councillor Frank O’Flynn revealed that the nine patients in the unit will be offered a choice of alternative accommodation at either St Patrick’s Community Hospital or in a private nursing home in the area, while staff in the unit will be offered redeployment within the locality.
“I have spoken to one of two of the staff in St Francis’ this morning and they are devastated at the closure, and upset that it has come to this after months of campaigning,” Frank O’Flynn told The Avondhu.
“The non-admission policy of the HSE over the last few years has led to this, it is closure by stealth,” he added.
“This is a major upset for all the patients and staff in St Francis and my heart goes out to everybody there,” Cllr O’Flynn concluded.
A major campaign to keep the unit open to patients over the last six months has seen a number of public meetings, a protest march through the streets of Fermoy and a visit by a deputation to Dail Eireann in October.
Published:
Saturday 11th February 11:00am
