Pinewood staff & residents ‘left in limbo’
THE professionalism of staff at Pinewood and the high standard of care they provide on a daily basis to residents was clear to see when The Ballymena Times called with them on Friday afternoon in the wake of the closure announcement by the Northern Health Trust.
The scene inside was a busy one with staff going about their normal routine, tending efficiently to those in their care.
The previous day a statement released by the Trust revealed they plan to close half their homes in the next three years – some as soon as November.
When spoken to about the proposed closure of their home staff were visibly upset, telling us they were concerned not only for their own uncertain future but even more so for the residents who regard Pinewood very much as their own home.
In a statement, they said: “This is more than a job to us - the residents are like family.
“All the staff are very, very upset and at the moment we feel like we have been left in limbo.”