Relief in Roscrea as long-term care beds secured

After over a decade of campaigning for the future of Roscrea's only public nursing home, it appears the light at the end of the long tunnel has been reached by the dedicated activists who never gave up the fight for the provision of long-term beds in Roscrea for Roscrea people.

Keeping people in their hometown and close to family was always the top priority for campaigners who fought to safeguard the future of the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home in Roscrea.

This week, John Lupton, Chairman of the Roscrea Community Development Council (RCDC) which led the campaign in recent years to protect the facility's future, said that priority has been achieved thanks to a new deal which will see Dean Maxwell incorporate the nearby Mount Carmel Nursing Home.

On Monday it was confirmed the HSE will purchase the Mount Carmel site, which is adjacent to the Dean Maxwell home and St. Cronan's RC Church. The Dean Maxwell will also be renovated.

The current owners of Mount Carmel, the Sisters of Marie Madeleine Postel, announced they are pleased that the HSE Capital Plan provides for the long-term continuation of care at Mount Carmel in Roscrea, "subject to due diligence".

Mount Carmel consists of the nursing home, independent living, and a new Convent, which will be vacated in a timeline agreed with the HSE. The Convent can be converted into care facilities, which will add to the overall care provision for older persons in North Tipperary.

Mount Carmel is an integrated care facility and the addition of care provision within the Convent and within the, to be renovated Dean Maxwell Home provides for improved and expanded elder care provision in the area.

The Sisters of Marie Madeleine Postel said they are pleased that their care centre will remain a not-for-profit care facility and are happy to be commencing the journey of transfer of ownership to the HSE. 

The Sisters added they are especially appreciative of the guidance and assistance which they have from Deputy Michael Lowry in this matter, which was echoed by RCDC Chairman, John Lupton.

Mr Lupton said he wanted to extend gratitude and that of his fellow Council members that the rights of the elderly people of Roscrea and its environs, who need long term residential community care or will need it in the future, will continue to be provided for in Roscrea. 

Roscrea is "their town of belonging, rather than Roscrea people being forced to live their twilight years 20 miles away", Mr Lupton said, referencing previous concerns that the creation of a new 50-bed facility in St. Conlon's in Nenagh in 2020 spelled the writing on the wall for the future of the Dean Maxwell home.  

"This was the prospect facing Roscrea’s Dean Maxwell home residents and the many Roscrea people who will need long term community nursing care going into the future", he said.

Mr Lupton said the assurance provided in the National Development Plan 2023 reassures Roscrea and its community, but especially the Dean Maxwell residents, their families and those who will need long term community nursing care into the future.

He said the role of Michael Lowry TD in this matter must be particularly acknowledged and applauded "as he used his strategic political position in the Dail to the benefit of Roscrea in this particular issue". 

He said Deputy Lowry’s request to the then Taoiseach Michéal Martin from the floor of the Dail for a meeting with all the stakeholders with regard to the future of Dean Maxwell, and which he called to the Taoiseach himself to chair, was very significant in securing the future of the Dean Maxwell home. 

The Taoiseach did chair that meeting in Leinster House, which later resulted in the purchase of Mount Carmel. "That commitment has been copper fastened by the inclusion in the current
Capital Development Plan of a commitment to purchase Mount Carmel in the current year", Mr Lupton said. 

He also welcomed the commitment in the Development Plan that the existing Dean Maxwell building will “be refurbished and repurposed as part of the overall service plan for the area”. 

"RCDC are well aware that much requires to be done and that ongoing vigilance needs to take place to ensure that the elderly in Roscrea and its environs continue to be able to avail of the services presently being availed of under the Dean Maxwell facility. 

"RCDC also appreciates that in an ideal world it may be preferable to have a new 50 bed unit built in Roscrea, as is happening in Nenagh, but there were no such offers in that regard or no likelihood of such ever emerging", Mr Lupton told this newspaper.

'MY POLITICAL PRIORITY' - LOWRY

"I made it my political priority to redress the injustice done to the people of Roscrea when the last HSE plan was formulated", Deputy Lowry told the Tribune.

"I have invested a huge amount of time and political capital to deliver a solution for elderly care in Roscrea. It has taken a great deal of work, cooperation, negotiation to reach this stage. With the unfailing support and trust of the local Committee, I have pushed this project at every opportunity and thankfully doors have opened to me with a positive result", he said.

Deputy Lowry said that key to the long-term continuation of care in Roscrea is the purchase by
the HSE of the Mount Carmel complex, which includes the current Nursing Home and adjacent buildings. 

The Convent will be vacated to provide for the provision of additional accommodation and a small parcel of land will also be available for further expansion, he explained, adding the entire facility will become a community care centre under the management of the HSE.

Staff currently working at Mount Carmel will come under the auspices of the HSE. "Sadly, this will result in the end of an era for the Sisters of Marie Madeleine Postel. However, they are very happy with the current plans and the fact that the facilities they have created will be used for the good of the people in Roscrea", Deputy Lowry said.

"Meanwhile, the cherished Dean Maxwell Nursing Home and its staff will continue its vital role for elderly care in the town. The building will be completely refurbished to accommodate day care, respite, and a range of other services.

"Key to the changes and adjustments that lie ahead, is the fact that Roscrea will retain long-stay elderly care beds for local people in a unit that will be fully compliant with modern-day standards.

Labour Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly, welcomed the news but pointed out many questions still surround the plans.

"It has always been my aim to make it possible for elderly Roscrea people to stay living in their own town. Local people continually highlighted this necessity to me. This desire was always understood and appreciated by me.

"Moving older people to facilities in other towns, where visits by family and friends would be made extremely difficult is something I could never be associated with. People deserve the support and close proximity of family and friends as they age, and I am happy to have played a role with the local Committee in ensuring that this happens in Roscrea", Deputy Lowry said.

'QUESTIONS REMAIN' - KELLY

Labour Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly welcomed the news, but said four critical questions still surround some facets of the plan.

"While welcoming the recent announcement and interest shown by the HSE in putting elderly care in Roscrea into the 2023 capital plan, I agree with the Chairman of RCDC, John Lupton, that there are still are many questions left to be answered and a long way to go before we see a solution to the ongoing issue of long term elderly care in the town", Deputy Kelly said.

"Firstly, when will the due diligence on this plan be completed and have the HSE agreed internally that it is possible to implement this plan and have they demonstrated that it is the best health solution for the town and environs and best value for investment?

"Secondly, how long will the purchase of Mount Carmel Nursing home take?", he asked.

"Thirdly and most importantly, will the HSE demonstrate how this plan will ensure there are at least the same amount of elderly care beds in total in the town of Roscrea following the implementation of this plan?

"Fourthly, what will happen to the current Dean Maxwell site? How will the facility be used into the future for potential respite and other services?

"It’s important to get all these questions answered and any timelines in place so we can let the public know where we are going’", Deputy Kelly said.