CAMPAIGNERS are opposing a decision by the HSE to transfer elderly patients from a nursing home to another purpose built unit.

It is understood that around 100 people met last week in Brittas to voice their concerns about the recent announcement by the HSE that it intends to close St Brigid's Nursing Home at Crooksling.

The HSE said that it has decided to close the facility on a phased basis over the coming months as it does not meet Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards.

The health authority intends to transfer the majority of the 90 or so patients at the Brittas nursing home to the new purpose built Hollybrook Community Nursing Unit in Inchicore, which is currently lying empty and has capacity for 50 beds.

In August Southside People reported that the HSE could not open the €12 million facility in Inchicore as it could not pay the staff needed to run the facility due to the public service recruitment embargo.

Derek Reilly, Industrial Relations Officer for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said the move could have negative consequences for the elderly patients involved.

“Crooksling is their home and people have been living there for years,” he said. “They know the staff and they know their colleagues. It is always traumatic to go somewhere else.”

Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) criticised the HSE on the issue.

“The patients in Crooksling are happy there and they are safe, so there is no reason to do this,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said the premises in Crooksling would not meet environmental standards [set by HIQA] for residential care.

“A complete rebuild would be required and there is no capital funding available to do so,” she said. “The HSE will work with patients and relatives to make sure that their transition is managed to the highest standards.”