Carers raise respite fears with MLA Hale

Mrs. Hale and DUP party colleagues, meanwhile, welcomed the recent opportunity to meet and/or speak with Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots and Health and Social Care Board Chief Executive John Compton on the issue.

Said Mrs. Hale, “One local lady, Mrs Esther Irwin ,spoke to my office manager and stated,’My elderly husband, Leslie, regularly spends time at Skeogh House, allowing me to get respite.

“‘I and my family would be very distressed if Skeagh House were to be closed. Mrs Cromie and the staff are wonderful. I couldn’t wish for better care for my husband than he presently receives’.”

Endorsing Mrs. Irwin’s praise for Mrs. Cromie and the staff at Skeogh House, Mrs. Hale pledged to continued lobbying the Health Minister in realtion to the home’s future and she urged all those with concerns and comments to contact her office.

Of her meeting with Mr. Compton, she said, “I raised the issue of the future of Skeagh House, relaying the concerns of the local staff, residents and their families and I also spoke with the Health Minister, Edwin Poots MLA and echoed the views of people on the ground in Dromore.”

“Following this meeting, I and local DUP Councillor, Paul Rankin, met with the senior management at Skeagh House to update them on the latest discussions.”