Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday I was contacted by a constituent whose mother is a resident in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon. By chance, on a visit to her mother last week, she was told that, in four and a half weeks' time, her mother and residents from two other wards in the home will be removed to two other nursing homes in the county. This relates to works that are necessary for the nursing home to be HIQA compliant.

Understandably, families are really concerned about any relocation of residents, given the Covid-19 crisis, which we are not through just yet. A HSE statement today stated consultation is under way with families and residents, yet in the case of the resident whose daughter I spoke to yesterday, the family have not even got a letter or any communication from the HSE about this move. Will the Government please ensure that the HSE communicates and consults the families and residents who are going to be moved? Will it also ensure that the HSE communicates with HIQA on any alternatives that could be put in place, rather than moving residents in the midst of a global pandemic?

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