Work is progressing on resolving the fire safety issues that were identified following an audit of the Curraheen campus earlier this year. The audit and subsequent investigations uncovered significant issues that require a substantial programme of work to be undertaken throughout the building.
With the support of the HSE and Cork City Fire Brigade, and working with HIQA, we have been able to safely continue with the delivery of Specialist Palliative Care and Services for Older People in Curraheen, albeit with some changes and alterations to our current service to accommodate the works needed in a timely manner
Initial works were focused on enhancing fire stopping and protecting escape corridors, with the later phase addressing issues with compartmentalisation.
With additional resources and interim protective measures allocated on the advice of fire safety experts, we are confident that the building is sufficiently fire-protected while these works are being carried out.
These works have resulted in ongoing disruptions for our patients, residents, staff, families and wider community including a reduction in capacity on-site, for which we can only apologise.
A number of residents and staff kindly agreed to a temporary relocation to Midleton Community Nursing Unit, with the support of the HSE. These measures were necessary to allow for remediation works to progress. These residents have now started to return in phases, and we are very glad to welcome them back to their home.
Additionally, we anticipate that the Specialist Palliative Care In-Patient Unit will return to full capacity by the end of the year. Marymount has accelerated an enhanced programme of community care and Hospice at Home to ensure that those awaiting access to a hospice bed can be cared for in their homes, where possible.
The Board of Directors and management at Marymount University Hospital and Hospice would like to thank the entire Curraheen team; our volunteers, staff, residents, patients and families for their support and flexibility, as we work towards a completion date for the works.
Ours is a wonderful community dedicated to the care of others – and these past few months have seen that shine through.