The sudden closure of the Ballard Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise in recent weeks came as a massive shock to residents and their families – and it was an issue that was raised at this week’s meeting of Laois County Council.
Owners of the Ballard Lodge cited ‘ongoing regulatory pressures, which we cannot sustain’ as the reason for their decision to close. Most of the residents have now moved to various other nursing homes in the area.
“The sudden closure of Ballard Lodge was a huge shock to the residents and staff,” said Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald at Monday’s meeting.
“I have first hand experience of the exceptional care provided by the staff in Ballard – my own mother was there and I know the level of care she received was exemplary.
“I appreciate standards but when we have to tick so many boxes, it is putting incredible pressure on small businesses, particularly the likes of nursing homes and creches. The way things are going, none of us will have anywhere to go.”
“This was devastating news for the residents because I know how happy they were there.
“On a personal level – and on behalf of the people of Laois – I want to thank them for the wonderful care they provided to our elderly.”
“Small nursing homes such as Ballard are like an extension of the family home,” added Cllr Dwane-Stanley.
“Remember, if it was up to HIQA, we’d have no A&E in Portlaoise.
“I remember during Covid, I went up to Ballard to drop in some books for the residents and they made surely each book was sanitised – the care they gave and still give to everyone there is top notch.
“If this continues, what we are going to be left with it is a load of profit-making facilities that don’t care as much about the care of patients.
“So I really plead, even at this late stage, to see if anything can be done.”
Supporting Councillors Dwane-Stanley and Fitzgerald, Cllr John Joe Fennelly compared Ballard with Abbeyleix District Hospital.
He said: “When I was growing up, Abbeyleix had 52 patients and now it is only 20.
“It is very hard for small operation to comply with regulations set down by HIQA.”
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