In a unique move, the entire Fermanagh District Council have backed a motion to try and save Drumhaw Residential Home in Lisnaskea from closure.
Last month, the Western Health and Social Care Trust announced a consultation period, with a view to closing the home come March 2010.
However, the matter was raised at Monday night's meeting of Fermanagh Council. There, all Councillors, backed a motion on behalf by Leo McElgunn and his sister, Marie Flynn whose mother Mrs Slevin has been a resident in Drumhaw for the last two years.
Mr McElgunn said his mother was, 'absolutely devastated' by the potential closure of the home.
The motion said the Council should call on the Western Health and Social Care Trust to withdraw the proposal to close Drumhaw Home, to reject the flawed consultation process, and reserve the right to bring this matter to the Assembly, if needed. The motion was raised by Erne East Councillor Brian McCaffrey who painted a picture of a Home which had been 'run-down' over the last number of years.
"There has been a general failure to maintain the fabric of the building. Two years ago there was a move to replace old steel-framed windows in the home, but this didn't take place. Then there was the closure of seven rooms on a corridor because it didn't have fire -proof doors which would have cost less than £1,000 to provide. There has been a policy of repair rather than replace."
He said that, while the closure had not come as a shock announcement to many in Lisnaskea, to residents and relatives the news was 'a bombshell'.
Councillor McCaffrey claimed a number of residents had since retreated to their rooms and 'are not the same people as they were before this announcement'.
"Relatives are being forced, against their wishes, to look for alternative accommodation. This consultation is simply a snide move by the Trust to further undermine the future of Drumhaw." Councillor McCaffrey said suggestions by the Trust that they intended to provide more care in the community was fine if that was the option people wish; however, it failed to take into account the 'loneliness and isolation' faced by many elderly people in rural areas like Fermanagh.
Mr McCaffrey further criticised the Trust for their actions since the consultation period was announced.
He said eight residents in the home were put on review within 48 hours of the announcement to see if they needed residential or nursing care. The home had been closed to new admission, although this practice had been ongoing in the Home for some time.
"There agenda is to close the Home. Preparations have been made and if they (the Trust) are allowed to continue unopposed, Drumhaw will close much sooner than March 2010. Their agenda is to put cost above care, and that is wrong for people."
He strenuously defended staff in the Home who, he claimed had been criticised by the Trust for putting forward their views about the future of the home.
"The Trust called these people 'unprofessional' and that is offensive. These are some of the most dedicated staff around."
The motion was seconded by Ulster Unionist for Erne East, Harold Andrews, who said residents were 'very happy in the Home. They are prepared to stay because of the excellent care provided, so I don't know why they are proposing to close it as its giving excellent service. I have heard one of the reasons for closure is each room has to be provided with ensuite facilities, but that is impractical as a lot of the residents are not even able to use them."
The DUP's Arlene Foster also hit out at the Trust "There certainly seems to have been a policy of maintaining the Home by stealth."
She described it as an excellent home, which was extremely conveniently located in Lisnaskea to allow residents to participate in village-life. And, she said the Trust had failed to consult with the most important people about the closure, the residents, a move which the Councillor said was 'deplorable'.
She gave other examples where the Trust had tried to make cut-backs on services to mentally and physically disabled people within Fermanagh over recent months, but she noted when there was a public outcry about these moves, the Trust had been forced to change tact. Mrs Foster said it was 'unacceptable' to try and save money in this case.
She noted that the Council had a meeting scheduled for next Monday with the Trust, at which stage she said: "We need to give a firm message to the Trust and hope they reconsider. If they don't, we'll take it further."
The SDLP's Fergus McQuillan, who also represents the Erne East area, said the Home was a great asset to Lisnaskea. He explained the Home also provided recuperation for people in the area who might not be ready for residential care but did need some help when recovering from an illness or operation.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: "Residents, relatives of residents and staff have been informed of Trust proposals to reform statutory residential care home provision.
"The Trust stresses that these are proposals and will be subject to full consultation. Residents and staff were advised that formal consultation on the proposals will commence during December 2008 and they would have an opportunity to make their views known as part of the consultation process. The consultation period is due to begin on 15 December," she added.
"The Trust reassures residents that it will continue to meet their needs now and in the future in an appropriate and supportive care setting. The Trust is also mindful of the high quality of service its staff provide in care homes and it will do all it can to minimise the impact of the proposals to reform residential care home provision on their employment."
