Limerick nuns warn they will have to close nursing home

The Bon Secours Sisters in Limerick say they will have to close a 50-bed nursing home in Dooradoyle on the west of the city later this year unless a private company can be found to take it over.

The Order said it is not in a position to finance a major refurbishment of the St Paul's Nursing Home, which is being demanded by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that supervises nursing homes.

It has warned that unless a buyer emerges with resources to refurbish the institution, it will shut in November with the loss of 72 jobs.

Sr Catherine Casey of the Bon Secours Order said last week that while an inspection by HIQA has yet to take place, there is no way her congregation can get the home up to the standard required.

“A major refurbishment is required to bring the house up to the standards required today, but there is no finance available to do this," she said.

She said that the November closure date would be brought forward if alternative places were found for the facility's residents sooner.

Alternatively, she added, “if a private firm was found to take over the running of the centre, it would be great and we would be delighted.”

Sr Casey also announced that she intends to retire as matron irrespective of whether alternative management takes over.

“From my own point of view, there are no younger members coming in to run it. I am not eternal, and I need to make a decision.”

The chairman of Limerick County Council, Mr Richard Butler has become involved in trying to rescue the nursing home, and has been talking to private companies about taking it over.

Cllr Butler said Sr Casey was the last of the nuns left, and she would not be able to continue because of this.

“St Paul's is an integral part of Limerick society and needs to be maintained,” he said. “There is a list of people trying to get into St Paul's, and as long as I am in politics, I have never heard a complaint about the home, only how high a standard it is. I cannot see why HIQA is putting pressure on it to modernise during such a downturn."

Cllr Butler confirmed that he had met private healthcare providers to establish if they would be interested in taking over the nursing home.

"The local community are very happy with it being used a nursing home and we need to attract someone who will use it as a nursing home."

The Bon Secours order has run St Paul’s since it opened in the 1960s.

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