Connect with us

News

St Mary of the Angels defends itself against HIQA compliance report

Published

on

&

 

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

St John of God Kerry Services, operator of the St Mary of the Angels facility in Beaufort, has defended claims made by a Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

 

HIQA visited St Mary’s of the Angels last August and in a report published this week found a number of shortcomings including the number of staff allocated to residents and the general upkeep of buildings.

 

In 2009, St John of God Kerry Services’, who provide training, employment, social and residential programmes for over 300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the county, had an annual HSE allocation of €17.2m.

 

In 2019, the allocation was €16.9m. Yet over this 10 year period, the level of service provided in Kerry grew significantly with a new day centre opening in Tralee and expansions in Listowel, Killarney and Killorglin.

 

Earlier this month the Killarney Advertiser reported that St Mary’s of the Angels will be forced to cut services after the HSE announced a county-wide cut of €160,000.

 

“We acknowledge the issues highlighted in the report and these clearly fall below the standards we strive to deliver and the mission and values which underpin our service,” a St John of God Kerry Services spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

 

“Many of these challenges arise regrettably due to ongoing funding shortfalls in disability services locally and nationally. We are happy to report that since this inspection last August, a significant action plan has been undertaken to bring the centre into compliance including a refurbishment programme, a recruitment campaign and additional training of staff, and improved care planning for residents. Every inspection conducted in the facility recognises staff members and their kind and considerate approach with residents and we would wish to emphasise their positive contribution in sometimes challenging circumstances.”

 

Over the last two years alone, we have suffered further significant cuts totalling €272,000 and a further proposed cut of €160,000 has been imposed for 2020, they added.

 

“The level of supports required by our service users has also increased significantly in that period, due to their advancing age profile and increased medical needs. These cuts have been a significant contributor to our financial deficit which has come in at €1.25m for each of the last two years.”

 

 

Advertisement

News

Gardaí appeal for witnesses in Castleisland crash

Published

on

By

A woman in her 70s was critically injured following a single-vehicle car crash at Lisheenbaun, Castleisland.

The accident occurred at 11.40pm on Wednesday, December 10.

The female driver and sole occupant of the car was removed from the scene to Kerry University Hospital.

She remains in critical condition.

The road is closed pending a technical examination to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Local diversions are in place via Currow Village.

The N21 Castleisland–Tralee and N22 Tralee–Farranfore roads are not affected.
 
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.
 
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N23 in the Lisheenbaun, Castleisland area between 11:20pm and 11:50pm are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064-6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
 
Investigations are ongoing.

Continue Reading

News

New sports kit presented to Knockaderry National School

Knockaderry Farranfore National School received a new set of football and basketball jerseys and shorts this week, sponsored by the Manor West Hotel in Tralee and produced by MFC Sports. […]

Published

on

Knockaderry Farranfore National School received a new set of football and basketball jerseys and shorts this week, sponsored by the Manor West Hotel in Tralee and produced by MFC Sports.

The presentation was made by Manor West Hotel General Manager Ruth O’Sullivan and Senior Kerry footballer Joe O’Connor, who is Munster Area Development Manager with MFC Sports.
Pupils decorated the school hall in green and gold for the occasion and were excited to meet the visitors. The school thanked Manor West Hotel for its generous support and said the new kit will be well used in upcoming games.
“The children enjoyed the visit and decorated the hall in green and gold in anticipation of the presentation. The BOM and staff wish to thank Ruth and Manor West Hotel for their very generous sponsorship. The kit will certainly be put to good use,” said school principal Áine Daly.

Manor West Hotel said it was pleased to support the school and promote children’s sport and wellbeing. Knockaderry Farranfore NS, founded in 1888, now operates beside Farranfore GAA facilities, which the school uses regularly for training and matches.
“I would like to thank Joe and the MFC team for their incredible assistance in designing the kit. Who knows, we might even have a future Kerry All Ireland winner among us,” said Ruth O’Sullivan, General Manager, Manor West Hotel.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport