Temporary closure of daycare facilities at Raheen and Regina House

Elderly residents are facing into a period of time without daycare facilities, after the HSE made the decision to close both Raheen Community Hospital in Tuamgraney and Regina House in Kilrush.

However,  Mary Cassidy of the Support Group for Raheen Hospital says the HSE’s decision to temporarily close the daycare centres in Tuamgraney and Kilrush will upset many service users and their families.

In a statement, the HSE says the decision has come about because of a lack of nurses, and that this is caused by factors including annual leave, sick leave and them unavailability of agency staff.

Long-term residents at the two nursing homes are being prioritised, with available nursing staff being used to cater for their needs, the statement read.

The HSE insists the closure will only be for “a couple of weeks”.