The HSE insists the closure of Day Centres at community nursing facilities in East and West Clare is temporary.
The day centres at Raheen Hospital in Tuamgraney and at Regina House in Kilrush are closing for what the HSE has described as “a couple of weeks.”
In a statement to Clare FM, the Executive says the lack of nursing staff over the coming weeks is down to a range of factors including annual leave, sick leave and the unavailability of agency staff.
The available staff are instead working in the nursing homes, as opposed to the daycare centres, as the HSE prioritises the residential centres.
Officials say they're committed to restoring the DayCare centres as soon as possible but the closures have been criticised as unacceptable by some local representatives.
The HSE's statement in full:
The temporary closure of the Day Centres at Raheen Community Nursing Unit and Regina House Community Nursing Unit are not influenced by the availability of financial resources. The decision was influenced by the unavailability of nursing staff over the next number of weeks. The contributory factors are annual leave, sick leave and the unavailability of agency staff. This is a short term measure for a couple of weeks and recognises the primary responsibility to provide safe care to the residents and also to ensure the availability of access to respite residential services for the elderly population.
The HSE is committed to restoring the Day Care services as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to service users. If any person using the Day Services is particularly affected in any way that is a cause of concern to them they should contact the centre and we will endeavour to support them.
