Pinewood resident’s daughter “in the dark” following closure plan announcement

CULLYBACKEY woman Joan McKibbin received a phone call at teatime last Tuesday about the proposal to close Pinewood and advising her that alternative accommodation would be needed for her 93-year-old mother by November.
Joan McKibben along with her mother Jean Waring (93). INBT18-214ACJoan McKibben along with her mother Jean Waring (93). INBT18-214AC
Joan McKibben along with her mother Jean Waring (93). INBT18-214AC

She had been invited to a meeting at the premises that morning but was unable to attend.

“I was basically told over the phone to ‘start looking’ for somewhere else,” said Joan whose mum, Jean Waring, has been resident at Pinewood for the past seven years. I knew that something was up for a while because there were empty rooms but I was shocked by how quickly everything seemed to be happening.

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“It’s particularly sad because my mother calls this ‘home’ and that is what it’s like, the staff are like a family and the standard of care is fantastic.”

Joan says she is now very much “in the dark” as to what happens next.

“I’m waiting to find out the next move - to see what they (the Trust) have in place because if I take mummy out of here I play into their hands.

“At the end of the day, you just want the best,” she added.