Elderly residents of HSE-owned Cherry Orchard Hospital in Dublin had to battle freezing temperatures as multiple rooms in the facility were “left without any heating,” family members claimed this week.
When families realised on Tuesday night that some of their loved ones were fighting the cold, they contacted the hospital, only to be told initially that their loved ones had heaters, family member Maria Stynes told Gript.
However, Ms Stynes claims that upon further inspection, it was admitted that these residents “had not received any heating, despite freezing temperatures.”
“Last night, despite freezing temperatures, only two residents at Cherry Orchard Hospital were provided with plug-in heaters. This decision was made after repeated complaints from their families (on behalf of all residents),” Ms Stynes, whose 96-year-old grandfather is a resident, said.
She says that the remaining residents in four multi-occupancy rooms were left without any heating.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ms Stynes, a leading figure in the Save Cherry Orchard Hospital campaign, and spokesperson for advocacy group, Care Champions, said that a meeting with hospital management today revealed “a disturbing lack of care.”
“When confronted about the heating issue, management claimed to have asked residents — many of whom lack the capacity to make such decisions—if they wanted a heater, to which they allegedly replied no. This is deeply concerning, especially for individuals with dementia living in an unheated facility,” she said.
She added that while the heating is currently functional, families have been told that management cannot guarantee when the issue will be permanently resolved. Additionally, they admitted that family concerns, raised to the social worker, were not escalated to them for over a week, the Dublin woman added.
It comes after the HSE’s decision last May to reverse a controversial plan to move elderly residents at the facility following protests. In November last, the HSE had said that 68 residents would be forced to move out of the facility temporarily to allow essential structural work to be carried out on the building.
By the time of the U-turn on that decision, 33 residents had already been moved, while 16 remained at Cherry Orchard. Sadly, 19 other residents had died in the intervening period since last November.
The HSE has maintained throughout that those who died did so due to natural causes.
Ms Stynes and colleagues in The Save Cherry Orchard campaign, including families of relatives, have since demanded an inquiry from the Health Minister and the HSE over how the process was handled. She told Gript that underlying problems remain, and believes that the relocation process resulted in a “significant loss of life.”
“Despite the temporary relief, the underlying problems remain. The relocation process last year, which forced residents out of their single comfortable rooms and resulted in a significant loss of life, raises serious questions about the hospital’s priorities and decision-making. The financial investment in this unit, coupled with the ongoing failures to meet basic human needs, demands a thorough investigation,” Ms Stynes said, adding:
“Families remain unconvinced that the issues have been adequately addressed. The HSE’s only commitment is to provide two hourly check-ins to ensure residents are warm. This is an unacceptable breach of human rights. Elderly and immobile individuals should not be subjected to such harsh conditions in their home, especially in the heart of winter.”
HSE Dublin and Midlands has been contacted for comment but has not yet offered a response.
UPDATE: Responding on Thursday, the HSE Dublin and Midlands said:
“An issue with the heating levels in Hazel Unit, Cherry Orchard was reported to HSE management on Monday 18th November 2024. HSE Estates have been on site to monitor the heating system to validate its effectiveness throughout this week, and as a result some alterations were made to adjust the heat levels and general balancing of the system.
“The HSE can confirm that the heating system is operating and responding to the temperatures set on the control panels and that temperatures are met and maintained in the unit. This will continue to be monitored to ensure heat levels are maintained in the unit. “
The care, safety and comfort of residents is a priority for the staff and management in the Hazel Unit, Cherry Orchard Hospital.’