Threat of closure hangs over West Mayo nursing home

Urgent action is needed to prevent the closure of a West Mayo nursing home with 41 residents and 51 staff, a meeting has heard.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paul McNamara told fellow councillors at last week’s meeting of the Westport-Belmullet municipal district that the threat of closure currently hangs over St Brendan’s Nursing Home in Mulranny and the district council should write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly as a matter of urgency.

St Brendan’s is classed as a private nursing home because it is a registered charity and therefore receives 60% less funding than community nursing units (CNU).

Cllr McNamara said that, if St Brendan’s were to close, its 41 residents, one of whom has lived there for 24 years, would need to seek alternative accommodation and its 51 staff members would be out of a job.

“This would be a devastating blow to Mulranny and West Mayo and would put even more pressure on the CNUs if it were to close. If the doors close, it will be too late. The horse will have bolted.

“It means a lot to elderly people and their families that they can live the rest of their lives in the rural areas they know and love.”

Cllr Gerry Coyle said St Brendan’s had been “a light at the end of the tunnel” for many returning emigrants from the UK.

“St Brendan’s was the first place to look after our people who worked like slaves overseas to send money back here. They looked after everyone except themselves and when they needed help, St Brendan’s was a light at the end of the tunnel for them,” he said.

Cllr Sean Carey described the facility as a “vital service” for the area and stressed the need for intervention to ensure it remains open.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy said time was of the essence and suggested sending a deputation to speak to the Minister.

“When you see a GoFundMe page set up to save a nursing home, that says it all. If a multinational company lost 50 jobs, there’d be reporters lining up outside the gate,” Cllr Mulroy said.