Concerns for future of Cork dementia unit, despite HSE assurances it will remain open

There is concern over the future of a dementia unit in Cork but the HSE has said it will not be closing.

Unit 1 at the St Stephen’s Hospital Campus at Sarsfield Court is a dementia-specific unit for people who also have a co-existing presentation of mental health issues.

It is registered to accommodate 16 residents, but there are currently just five patients, all of whom have been in the unit for three years or more.

A staff member told The Echo: “Our last admission was 2021 and we have lost two healthcare assistants and a number of nurses since then.”

“The atmosphere there is not good and not what it was a few years ago.

“We have three permanent healthcare assistants, five nurses and the rest are all agency — we’ve been told nothing officially but we thought they were closing then we were told it’s not closing but they have to sort out staff first — you can’t run a unit on agency staff."

They added: “There are more than 40 dementia patients in the Mercy Hospital who can’t go outside the door, we’ve over 100 acres so they can go for walks if they wish, it’s a scandal that the beds aren’t being used.”

They said that the remainder of beds in the unit are for psychiatric patients, who are assessed by the Mental Health Commission, while the dementia unit is assessed by HIQA. 

Worry

A family member of a patient in the unit said “they’re down to five patients now, they’ve not taken anybody in since 2021 and there’s a huge worry for us that they’re going to move them at this stage in their life — my aunt is bed bound at this stage.

“They only recently did it all up — the facility is fantastic and the staff are absolutely exceptional.”

She added it’s “a disgrace” that the 11 beds are not being filled and “we’re worried that they are waiting for more patients to die off so they can just disperse the rest.”

Another family member said: “I’ve sent emails to Bernard Gloster and other family members from the unit have too and they’ve come back and said it’s not closing, but we’re concerned by how things have dwindled off.

“The staff are absolutely outstanding, my mother gets the best of care up there and there are beautiful facilities and a gorgeous garden.

“It’s a fantastic unit, they got it all done up in April 2021 with new flooring, furniture, electric blinds, a fantastic sensory room — anybody has a family member there is so lucky.

Top class

There were 20 delayed transfers of care, as of December 20, meaning patients who have completed their treatment but are still occupying a hospital bed, usually as they are awaiting a place in a nursing home, at Cork University Hospital, 16 in the Mercy, four in Bantry and two in Mallow.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Goulding, told The Echo: “What we can hear clearly from staff and family members is that no one wants this facility to close.

“The care being given is top class and the patients are settled there. It is very frustrating that this opportunity hasn’t been offered to other people suffering with dementia in Cork who desperately need proper care.

“Many of these people are stuck in hospital or in unsuitable family conditions when they, and their family members, could be much happier receiving the level of care offered in Sarsfield Court.

“We know that the HSE’s overreliance on agency staff is having detrimental impacts on our health service.

“They must now commit to hiring new staff to facilitate the reopening of admissions.

“I know, from speaking to staff, that many left because they were unclear about their future as patient numbers didn’t increase for so long.”

He added: “These beds shouldn’t be empty and the HSE must now give a timeline for new patients early in the New Year. My understanding is that the beds are ready to go, it’s just now about ensuring sufficient staff and they can reopen. That is the top priority.”

Speaking to The Echo, the HSE reiterated that the unit is not closing, and said: “Working with the relevant regulatory body, we are planning to resume assessment and admission to the unit in the near future.”