Work underway at Cork's Marymount Hospice to repair fire damage  

Works are underway at the at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice to repair damage caused following a fire at the Curraheen facility last year.

A spokesperson told The Echo: "A that small number of beds had been closed for renovation, however there remains a possibility that others may be impacted to expedite remedial works.” 

The works were identified as being necessary by a fire safety audit that was undertaken of the Marymount campus following “a small fire on December 7 last”.

“This audit has produced some unexpected results which will require remedial action to ensure compliance with the highest standards of fire safety," said the spokesperson. 

“Out of an abundance of caution, and following consultation with the HSE and Cork City Fire Service, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice has taken immediate action to bolster fire protection on site. This includes improved protocols for fire detection.” 

The spokesperson said that the safety of patients, residents and staff is a matter of the highest concern for the management.

“We would like to reassure the public that service delivery is continuing as planned both at the Curraheen campus, and for those receiving treatment at home.” 

It comes as fire safety was the one area where improvement was required in an otherwise positive Hiqa report into Marymount published recently after an inspection in March.

High standard of care

Overall, the Hiqa inspector observed a high standard of care delivered to residents, who praised the staff and management team, with one describing their experience living in the centre as “perfection”.

The centre was marked fully compliant in 17 of 18 areas, with a mark of substantially compliant in the area of fire safety.

Inspectors noted that drills were taking place regularly and staff were clear in their knowledge of fire evacuation, and that: " A post review of a significant incident, the provider was undergoing an enhanced programme of fire containment works to enhance fire safety”.

They said that there was good management oversight of these works, and good management practice demonstrated immediately following the fire, but that until the works were complete, fire safety issues remained.

A Marymount spokesperson told Hiqa that a report that was put together after the December fire incident identified deficits in fire containment measures, particularly relating to “previously unknown gaps in relation the fire compartments”.

Need to review

"This means that there is the need to review all horizontal and vertical compartment lines within walls to ensure that preventions of fire/smoke is enhanced to avoid spread between areas and floors," said the spokesperson.

“Marymount has engaged with a building contractor, fire sealing specialist, and fire consultant in relation to the remedial works.” 

They added that required remedial works “commenced at the earliest opportunity and continue to be underway”, with the works expected to last approximately seven months, meaning they should be complete before the end of this year.