Guarded welcome for reopening of Mayo day care facility

by Joan Geraghty

THE HSE has confirmed that day care services at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar will recommence from July 15.

Initially, the service will cater to six clients on a three-day-a-week basis, with plans to fully restore the service, catering for to up to 30 clients on a Monday to Friday basis.

The news has been welcomed by Councillor Blackie Gavin.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, who asked the HSE West Forum, for details on all day care centres available to elderly patients in Mayo, was provided with a breakdown on the centres and client numbers they cater to, as follows:

Fr. Peyton Memorial Centre, Ballina, catering to 20 people; Killala Community Council Day care, 16; Kilmovee Day Care 30; Cuan Modh Day Care, closed - due to open in September and cater for 60; Castlebar day services, 15; St. Coleman’s Day Services, Achill, 30; Seirbhisi Curam Chill Chomain Teo, Ballina, 20; St. John’s Rest & Day Care Centre, Knock, 30-40; Ballycroy Social Services Day Services, 10; Swinford District Hospital day services, 13; Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, Castlebar, 16; Dalton CNU day services, Claremorris, closed - due to open July 28 and cater to 6; St. Augustine’s CNU day services, Ballina, closed - reopening dependent on staff available; and Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar - closed - due to open July 15, catering to 6.

Councillor Kilcoyne said it was disappointing the Sacred Heart service would only cater to six clients and asked: "What happens to the other 30 or 40 people needing it?"

Breda Crehan Roche, chief officer, Community Healthcare West, replied: "We are pleased we have secured the on-campus site there and the plan is to ramp the service up, but it depends on availability of staff. We are working towards five days a week and hope to do the same in all 14 centres listed."

Councillor Kilcoyne said the service was really only being offered on a half-a-week basis - as it was available three days out of seven.

Crehan Roche contended that the working week was five days so the service was available three days out of five and added: "We will start on a phased basis. Covid has not gone away unfortunately so we must ensure we have safe services. We will eventually be working up from three days to five days a week again. I think the good news is it will be open in two weeks."

Councillor Kilcoyne: "Ya, but not if you are number seven or eight. I am just disappointed that it takes so long."

Crehan-Roche: "As you know, we have had quite a number of setbacks but I am pleased to say we are making good progress."

Councillor Kilcoyne: "I would not regard it as progress with it having dragged on far too long."

Crehan Roche: "There were issues around infrastructure. We did look outside the campus but it is better to have the service there as people can get meals and all the social supports. We will keep it under review and keep making progress."