Cherry Orchard families call for ‘urgent action’ to address concerns over moving elderly residents

In November last year, 68 residents and their families were told patients would have to be moved temporarily to allow structural work to be carried out.

To the knowledge of the group, 33 residents have so far been moved, while 16 remain at Cherry Orchard. Sadly, 19 other families have since been bereaved.

In 2022, a HIQA inspection discovered that the floors of the unit were weakening and there was concern that residents could be injured if a floor collapsed.

A separate fire risk assessment found residents were at great risk and a decision was taken by the HSE to move 68 residents in the Willow and Sycamore units to accommodation off the campus.

Families pleaded with the HSE to keep residents in Cherry Orchard Hospital because some of them have dementia and were familiar with the staff and their surroundings.

Speaking at a protest outside the HSE Offices at Dr Steevens’ Hospital, opposite Heuston Station, Maria Stynes ​​read from a letter addressed to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE.

Her grandfather, John Sweeney (96), is one of the residents who remains in Cherry Orchard Hospital where he has been there for the past year.

“For 27 weeks now we, as advocates, have tried to communicate concerns and resolve the issues,” she said.

“At this time families feel bullied and disrespected and no longer feel comfortable negotiating our loved one’s care and needs and wishes further with the current team in place.”

She added that families of the residents at Cherry Orchard are “deeply concerned” about the impact of recent transfers.

“We believe these transfers were coercive and caused undue stress and trauma to the residents and their families,” she said.

The three key asks from the group are to keep the remaining residents on-site at Cherry Orchard in the completed and safe rooms within the Willow East building.

They also ask that the HSE carry out a comprehensive, independent investigation into the human rights implications of the process and transfer employed by the public health body.

Addressing the CEO of the HSE, they ask to work “directly” with him to ensure a satisfactory solution for the remaining residents and appropriate recognition for the bereaved families.

Michelle Murtagh, the granddaughter of a woman who died following the transfer from Cherry Orchard, spoke today at the protest about her experience.

Martha Murtagh was 94 years of age and had been in Cherry Orchard Hospital for six years. She passed away on January 12, a week after being transferred.

“She was the most caring and reliable person you could ever meet in your life, and she didn’t deserve to be treated the way she was,” Michelle said.

She added that, just days after her grandmother’s death, she got a bill for €127 for the transfer to the new nursing home and there was “no empathy” from the HSE.

Advocacy group Care Champions has been supporting families since they got notice that residents would be moved and were at the protest outside the HSE offices today.

Spokesperson Majella Beattie told the Irish Independent: “We are urging Mr Gloster to directly address the families’ concerns and ensure the voice of the residents is finally heard and heeded by the HSE.

“Care Champions believes the HSE has prioritized a purely medical viewpoint, neglecting the residents’ ability to participate in decisions about their care.

“We believe the current process disrespects the Assisted Decision Making legislation and lacks transparency, planning, and family involvement.

“This has caused unnecessary grief and trauma for families who have already lost loved ones in distressing and unfamiliar environments.

“We hope that Mr Gloster will respond favorably to the three questions the families will present today.”

The HSE has been contacted for comment.