The owners of a West Kerry nursing home say the relocation of residents is a temporary measure to enable essential fire safety works to take place.
Earlier this week, the HSE confirmed 13 residents from Ocean View Nursing Home in Camp were to be moved to alternative accommodation in the coming weeks.
Riada Care Ltd, which acquired the property in March of this year, says every option was explored to allow the residents to remain in the facility while the works were undertaken.
Riada Care Ltd says essential fire safety works are urgently required at Ocean View Nursing Home.
Since it acquired the property, Riada Care says it has assessed the site, alongside external fire safety consultants MSA, and together they’ve developed a comprehensive fire safety remediation plan.
Contractors have now been appointed and the works are expected to begin later this month.
The owners say that the HSE has acknowledged it can’t meet its legal obligation to guarantee the safe care of the residents under the current circumstances; a decision Riada Care says it fully agrees with and supports.
The owners say it’s regrettable the 13 residents will have to be temporarily relocated for the duration of the works, however, it adds that the health and safety of residents remains its top priority.
The works are expected to take two to three months to complete; they include electrical upgrades and building works.
The works are estimated to cost €650,000, which will be fully funded by Riada Care.
Upon completion and subject to HIQA registration, Riada Care says the facility will be able to operate with an additional 21 beds, bringing total capacity at the nursing home to 34 beds.
