Clare’s Sinn Féin TD has apologised for any comments that may have caused offence to staff at St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis.
SIPTU and the INMO recently issued a joint statement where they branded political and media commentary alleging patients’ care needs were unmet as inaccurate.
It followed the publication of a HIQA report, which outlined how residents told inspectors that while there was much to praise about the centre, they were not allowed to have showers, as a result of an outbreak of Covid-19. This was subsequently rectified.
Union members insist that while there were restrictions on movement in accordance with infection and prevention control, all care needs were met to ‘a very high standard’.
Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne says there’s often too much of a focus on the negatives in reports.
