Update on Ireland Lodge care home
Ireland Lodge is a Brighton-based care home for people with dementia. It is run by the council and currently has 20 residents.
Staff at the home recently raised serious concerns in a letter written to management. Staff also requested no new residents to be admitted to the home. This has been reported in local media over the last few days.
Councillor Clare Moonan, chair of the health and wellbeing board said: “We are grateful to staff for sharing their concerns with us. We’re taking the matter very seriously.
“Since we received the letter on Friday (17 April), we’ve been working with staff and unions to urgently address the concerns raised, improve staff wellbeing and reassure families of residents about the professional level of care being provided to their loved ones.
“Constructive conversations with staff and unions are ongoing to make sure all the issues raised are looked into.
“This highlights what an important role all those working in the wider care sector hold at these challenging times. Carers, families and volunteers across the city are providing vital support, both physically and emotionally.”
It has been agreed that no new residents will be admitted at this time to Ireland Lodge. Residents at the home are currently showing no symptoms of COVID-19 and there have been no new admissions to the home since 8 April 2020.
Councillor Moonan added: “We recognise that these are anxious times for all, especially those who are delivering care to vulnerable people. We want staff to feel safe and reassured in the very difficult work that they do.”
Caring for people with dementia during a time when there are requirements for people to maintain social distancing can be challenging. As a council, we are following all Government Guidelines and those from Public Health England relating to COVID-19 to keep all residents and staff as safe as possible.
We have also reassured families of those who are staying at Ireland Lodge that we are dedicated to providing care for their loved ones in a safe and kind way. The visiting restrictions we have to follow around COVID-19 can be deeply upsetting for families. The home management team is in regularly contact with families to help find the best ways to keep in touch, this includes the use of Skype link-ups to maintain as much ‘face-to-face’ contact as possible.
The welfare of all residents and staff at Ireland Lodge continues to be a priority at this time.
