MORALE among staff at Greenfield Residential Home is "absolutely zero" at present, it was claimed this week.
Staff have been living in limbo since November, when it was announced that the home could be shut down within 18 months. It is largely unclear as of yet exactly what the future holds for staff should the closure going ahead next year.
In an exclusive interview with the Strabane Chronicle earlier this week, a staff member, who did not wish to be named, said all of the 40 plus staff were concerned about their future employment.
"Morale is non-existent at the moment and we are all asking the same question, where are we going to get a job in Strabane if the home closes? This is the only government funded home in the Strabane District and if it closes, we will end up having to look to Derry or Omagh for work. But that would add at least an hour to your working day, so if you have young children, you will end up having to pay a child minder.
" It's a difficult situation for us all at the minute," she said.
The care worker added that they were in no way hopeful that the home can be saved because it appeared to be all about saving money on the part of the Western Health Trust.
"All they want to do is save money and they are telling us that the home isn't modern enough and that it would cost too much to upgrade it.
"But it is still home from home for the residents. They are worrying themselves sick about where they are going to go if they are evicted from here.
"What Health Minister Michael McGimpsey needs to realise is that when he goes home at night, he goes to his home address. The people in here use the address of Greenfield, 2 Melmount Road and if the Minister wants to come and visit them in their homes, he will have to come here. This is where they live, this is their home.
"What I would say to the Trust and to the Minister is leave us alone and let us get on with providing the excellent standard of care that we do here at Greenfield. We can provide everything an elderly person needs and we are very proud of the work we do here. Just leave us in peace and let us get on with our work. We don't need the pressures this proposal is putting on us. We just want to get on with our work," she added.
