'Learnings from current pandemic' lead to impending closure of local nursing home

The owners of the Maple Court Nursing home in Castlepollard have said that the “evolving enhanced environmental regulations and the learnings from the current pandemic” have led to the decision that the facility “will not be sustainable in the longer term”.

Last Friday, February 19, Maple Court's residents and staff of 20 were informed that the home will be closed on or before August 19.

In a statement issued to the Westmeath Examiner this afternoon, a spokesperson for Fáinleog Teoranta, which operates the home, said that it is consulting with residents and their families and will offer each of them a placement in another facility in the region.

The firm also said that it is working with the staff at the home “to relocate them to our other nursing home facilities”.

“We are aware that this decision may cause some concern to our residents, but we will consult with them and their families and assist them to ensure a compassionate, seamless and professional transition to an alternative facility,” the spokesperson continued.

Local Sinn Féin TD Johnny Guirke says that the home's closure is a “serious loss” to the area.

“This is a loss to the community of Castlepollard and surrounding areas, as staff do great work at the facility.

‘’To hear that more than 20 jobs will be lost as a result of this closure is hard to take during a pandemic, and we need to make sure that we have all the supports in place for staff.

‘’The staff are committed to their work and are now currently looking to rehouse residents in nearby facilities,” he said.

The statement in full from Fáinleog Teoranta:

Following a period of reflection on the long-term future of Maple Court Nursing Home, the Directors have reluctantly decided to commence an orderly closure of the facility over the coming months.

We believe that this decision is in the best interests of our residents and their families. This difficult decision has been reached largely in light of the evolving enhanced environmental regulations and the learnings from the current pandemic; regrettably, this nursing home will not be sustainable in the longer term.

We are consulting with our residents and their immediate families and will offer each of them an alternative placement in another nursing home in the region. We will also work with the team of staff in Maple Court to relocate them to our other nursing home facilities.

We are aware that this decision may cause some concern to our residents, but we will consult with them and their families and assist them to ensure a compassionate, seamless and professional transition to an alternative facility.

This decision was announced to all residents, families and staff on February 19, 2021 and we have begun a process of consultation. The facility will close on or before August 19, 2021.