‘We want them to remain in Slievemore’ - loved ones

THE wife of an Alzheimer’s sufferer in an 18 bed unit doomed to closure at the end of May says relatives will fight to keep it open.
The wife of a resident of the doomed-to-closure Slievemore dementia unit says relatives want their loved ones to remain there.The wife of a resident of the doomed-to-closure Slievemore dementia unit says relatives want their loved ones to remain there.
The wife of a resident of the doomed-to-closure Slievemore dementia unit says relatives want their loved ones to remain there.

Jane Dunton‘s husband Tony is resident at the Slievemore Unit. She said relatives of six remaining residents are devastated by the proposed closure.

An inspection in January raised concerns about a lack of risk assessments for fire safety, legionella, asbestos and ligature risks. But it was the first ever inspection.

It then ceased admissions and announced closure by May 31.

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Why? The care model can’t be registered under RQIA classifications. Thus said Health Minister Edwin Poots and Western Trust Director of Older Peoples Services Alan Corry Finn.

But Mrs Dunton said: “We want them to remain in Slievemore as we all know that dementia patients do not tolerate changes of routine or personnel. We also want people to wake up and become aware of the growing problem of dementia and of its devastating effects on sufferer and family.

Mr Corry Finn responded: “We appreciate this is a difficult time for our patients and their families and the Trust remains committed to supporting them through the transition between care facilities.

“We will do our upmost to ensure that Slievemore patients are placed in nursing homes that can fully meet their needs and provide for their future care.”