A 90-year-old resident of Lucan Lodge, the Dublin nursing home which is set to close after its operator went into liquidation, has joined in calls for the HSE to take over and save the beleaguered home.
The poem, penned by 90-year-old Connie, and recited in a video shared by family advocacy group Care Champions, heard the resident refer to the nursing home as her “third stop in life, as she praised the “superb staff, first-class facilities, and friendly atmosphere” provided at the 74-bed home.
It reads: “A road thrice travelled. First stop, Sandymount. Second stop, Palmerstown. Third stop, Lucan Lodge Nursing Home.
“Now, if there is a rest stop for a 90-year-old, I am describing my present abode, with its superb staff, first-class facilities, and friendly atmosphere, it is a real pleasure to spend time with my fellow residents, chatting and airing our views.
“My fourth road travelled will be Lucan Lodge DV. Rod Stewart, in his American songbook DVD, sings among other classics the George Gershwin ballad, ‘They can’t take that away from me.’ My sentiments exactly.”
Connie has written a poem about her wishes as a 90 year old, who wishes to be left in peace in Lucan Lodge. Listen to her words and consider supporting her & all the residents protesting for the @HSELive to take over & save their home. @MaryButlerTD @roinnslainte @MarkWardSF pic.twitter.com/hDZ27f2G55
— Care Champions Ireland (@CareChampions2) June 4, 2024
It comes as it emerged that liquidators have been appointed after a rescue move for the nursing home failed, amid back-to-back protests at the site. It is to shut its doors after its operator, Passage Healthcare International Ireland, which also owns the 41-bed Sally Park Nursing Home in Firhouse, went into liquidation.
Families and residents are calling on the State to ensure Lucan Lodge becomes a HSE run home, while arguing that residents who are worried about losing their home should be reassured. Care Champions, meanwhile, advocating for residents and loved ones, say there is no apparent reason that the HSE and Minister of State for Older People, Mary Butler, cannot guarantee the continued use of the home for residents.
On Wednesday last, the High Court appointed provisional liquidators to the operator of the two Dublin nursing homes. Judge Mr Justice Mark Sanfey said the company’s difficulties had largely been caused by the impact of the Covid crisis, which had resulted in lower occupancy rates at its nursing homes, and an increase in the firm’s costs.
The company entered into an examinership in the hope that a rescue plan could be made to ensure its survival. However, that process came to an end last month due to the fact suitable investment could not be ensured for the plan to proceed.
The High Court heard that following the failure of that process, Lucan Lodge is being operated by the HSE, who is also paying its 92 staff members, with a view to making alternative arrangements for residents of the West Dublin home.
Meanwhile, the court also heard that the company had ceased its operations at Sally Park in February.
Residents and families have been calling on the HSE to “do the right thing” and take over the care home, with Care Champions urging: “This is their home and they do not want to move.”
The advocacy group has warned of the danger of transfer trauma, which can happen with a move from a hospital to a care facility, or from a care facility to a hospital. In addition, they say that staff currently employed at the care home need security, and that the HSE should immediately intervene to ensure essential and invaluable services continue to be provided within the community.
Protests, which continued this week outside the home, saw family members and supporters come together with residents to urge the HSE to take action.
“Don’t abandon us. 74 residents need their home,” one sign read, while residents who call Lucan Lodge home held placards urging, “Save Lucan Lodge.”
“Say it loud, say it clear, leave our staff and residents here,” was the chant which echoed through the streets of Lucan on Wednesday night.
The campaign for an immediate takeover of the home has been supported by residents in Lucan. One local woman, Sarah, who attended a recent protest, said the move “affects us all.”
“Everybody deserves respect. I can’t believe that they are disrespecting people and are going to throw them out of their home after [some residents] living there 25 years. All throughout our lives, everyone deserves respect. Everyone deserves a home.
“I think it’s important for our community, it’s important for us all. We’re all ageing. Nobody’s getting younger, this affects us all. If they are going to close down this, then what’s next? We need to stick together, protect our community, and protect our people.”
Another lady, a daughter of one Lucan Lodge resident called Dante,shared how her father had to move from another Passage Health Care home to a different private, recommended facility.
“My dad was moved into a nursing home. He was only there for two to three weeks, and he was not treated right,” she said, describing the move as a negative experience. “We’re not moving anyone from Lucan Lodge,” she said, urging people to “stick together.”
Asked who she would like to take over the home, the family member responded: ‘The HSE, for sure.”
The family member is one among many who have argued that the residents of Lucan Lodge must not pay the price of policy choices and business failures.
Campaigners continue to call on the HSE to take over the running of the nursing home, and on Mary Butler, Minister of State for older people, to ensure that the home is taken over by the State.
Protests outside Lucan Lodge will continue on Sunday at 11am.