UNISON EXTREMELY CONCERNED BY NEED FOR ACTION AT CLIFTON NURSING HOME

UNISON notes the statement today (22nd May) by the Minister of Health, Robin Swann MLA that actions are being taken to relocate residents from Clifton Nursing Home in Belfast due to ongoing concerns at the way it is being run. UNISON Regional Secretary Patricia McKeown said:

‘‘This is obviously an extremely troubling development. We are concerned for the welfare of both the residents and staff within Clifton Nursing Home. We are also very concerned about the potential toll on the health and wellbeing of the residents that relocating them could have.

We are taking steps to contact our members working in the home to offer them support and assistance. We will be demanding urgent answers from Runwood Homes, the Department of Health and the various health bodies involved as to how this situation has come to pass and how the health and welfare of vulnerable residents and our members has been allowed to be placed at risk.

This situation once again illustrates why a major re-evaluation is needed of how we care for older and vulnerable people within our society. This is not the first occasion on which serious actions are being taken in relation to a home operated by Runwood Homes. We cannot any longer allow the system to fail those in need. This home should be taken into full public ownership as a matter of priority.’’