Upset at HSE proposals to move ill man

The family of a terminally-ill Drumconrath man is distraught at proposals to move him to a new care facility.

62 years-old Paddy McConnon, who has special needs, faces traumatic changes as the HSE propose moving him from a facility where he has been happy for over 13 years.
The HSE is reviewing services at Caradas House in Drumconrath, which is just minutes away from Paddy's family who have been told he will be moved to a facility nearly 20 miles away in Navan.
“The move will be extremely traumatic and upsetting for him,” says his cousin, John McConnon.
Paddy has been a resident of Caradas House for over 13 years and has lived in Drumconrath all his life.
“It will be a huge upset if he is moved. He was told he could end his days in Caradas House, but now the same people are telling him he cannot stay there.”
The HSE is looking at closing Cardadas House, a care home for people with disabilities and moving the two remaining residents in the home to a facility in Navan.
“We were told Paddy could stay there for life, so this came out of the blue - a bombshell,” says Mae McConnon, John's wife.
“We have not been told when the move will be made, but staff at Caradas House say it is the end of May,” says John.
“It is very worrying. He has great palliative care arranged at Caradas House as well as care from the staff and all that will have to be worked out again if he is moved.
“Paddy sleeps a lot during he day and the staff at Caradas House, see that he is fed whenever he is awake. I cannot see that kind of care happening in a busier place with a lot more patients.
“He is happy and content where he is. It is quiet and peaceful. He is close to his family and we can visit regularly. Going to a strange environment when he is so ill would be terrible.
“There is a doctor just across from Caradas House, so it is very convenient.”
Mae points out that at the moment, Paddy is surrounded by familiar faces and voices. “He is in the community where he was born.”
John recalls that Paddy had to move out for a short period in 2014 when Caradas House was being renovated.
“When he moved back in, he was told that the his room was his for the rest of his life.
“Now they want to move him when he should be allowed to end his days there,” he said.
John points out that he and Mae visit Paddy all the time. “It is just three minutes away. We are getting on ourselves and we aren't used to driving in places like Navan.”
Cllr Michael Gallagher says the families of both residents are deeply concerned as they had both received excellent care there.
He is worried about the huge upset any move will cause to Paddy. “He should be able to end his days in the place where he has been so happy for many years”.
Deputy Niamh Smyth has called on the government to provide consistency for the residents of Caradas House.
“The residents call Caradas home and have been living in this centre for decades.
“Residents and their families are very concerned about a potential move. It will cause much disruption and fear.
“Having spoken to families and those close to the facility, one of the important factors in long term care is consistency and familiar surroundings.
“I am calling on the Minister for Health to take a second look at decisions being made. We must put the best interests of residents first,” concluded Deputy Smyth.
A spokesperson for the HSE said a decision has been taken to
review the service provision at Caradas due to a number of factors, including the size of the property, rural location, access to public transport and access to community activities.
“Discussions are on-going with services users, their advocates, family members and the residential staff regarding the review. Any decision to change service provision will be based on maintaining or improving the quality of the lives of the service users.
“The HSE is committed to
providing an equitable, accessible and quality service to all service users.”
He said the HSE does not comment on individual cases.