State sending mixed messages re Covid19
Thursday June 17, 202117th June 2021: Nursing Homes Ireland today said the State is sending entirely mixed messaging regarding Covid19. Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO states: “Today the health regulator HIQA, with the support of the HSE and the Expert Advisory Group, is recommending a suite of public health measures are implemented to mitigate increased risk of transmission at outdoor live events. This follows HIQA warning last week that the virus continues to present a real and present danger to all who live and work in nursing homes and that everything must be done to shield the most vulnerable from it. Yet the State has announced the funding support for intensified infection prevention measures in nursing homes will end in two weeks. Measures implemented for Covid19 and now recommended on a sustained basis are subject to a cliff-edge when it comes to financial supports, given they are not encompassed under Fair Deal and no replacement scheme is in place. The mixed messages emanating from the State is creating great uncertainty within the nursing home sector, with clarity still required regarding implications of cessation of the vital funding support. It is reminiscent of the indecisiveness that marked its approach towards measures to protect residents and staff during the early onset of Covid19.”
NHI CEO Tadhg Daly is available for further interview. Requests will be facilitated by Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications & Research Executive who can be contacted at 087 9082970.