Staff at Kilkenny nursing home which has been forced to close to protest as residents told to move

Staff and residents were told this week that all 43 residents in Aperee Living Ltd must find alternative accommodation over the next few weeks, as the HSE announced it could no longer “safely provide care to residents” at the facility.

Aperee Living Ltd, a private nursing home in Callan, Co Kilkenny was taken over by the HSE/South East Community Healthcare in November of last year, when the licence of the private operator was cancelled by the health regulator, HIQA, following inspections and a HIQA report.

The HIQA report at the Kilkenny based nursing home found that residents money was being used to fund operational costs at the home and also highlighted fire safety risks and issues with staff shortages.

The facility was subsequently taken over by the HSE after HIQA directed them to do so.

Since then, the HSE has been managing the facility as the registered provider for Aperee Living Callan Limited, pending alternative arrangements. However, early this week they announced that they have reached a point where they can “no longer safely provide care to residents in the facility” and that all resident will be supported in moving to alternative facilities over the next few weeks.

As a result, the staff of the nursing home will hold a protest this morning outside the nursing home in Callan as they call for the home to remain open and available to its current 43 residents.

They also want more information about the situation to be made available to them.

A statement from a HSE spokesperson on Tuesday March 26 said: “The HSE’s focus continues to be the safety and welfare of the 43 residents who live in Aperee Living Ltd. Callan.

"We have worked closely with the private provider and HIQA over the last number of months, however we are now at a point where we can no longer safely provide care to residents in this facility. Over the next number of weeks, we will be working closely with residents and their families to help and support them find alternative accommodation.

"We know that the Aperee Living, Callan has been a very happy home for its residents and we understand that the last few months have been a difficult time for residents, their families and for staff.”

The spokesperson added: “The HSE has been providing support to the Aperee Living Ltd. Callan nursing home since November last year and additional HSE staff are on site from today, Tuesday, March 26, to provide further support and information to residents and their families over the next few weeks.

“We want to thank everyone for their co-operation over the last number of months during what has been a difficult time for many, including all staff at Aperee Living Ltd. Callan. We will continue to do all we can to support residents and families over the coming weeks. We will also continue to work closely with HIQA over this period.”