Relief and joy as Oakridge saved from closure

Relief and joy as Oakridge saved from closure

9 December 2015

NEWS that a Ballynahinch nursing home is safe from closure has been hailed a “perfect Christmas present”.

Staff and families of residents of the Ballynahinch home, which was due to close in February leaving 79 staff out of work and 59 residents without a home, have reacted with elation to news that it will be bought over.

Four Seasons Health Care has confirmed it is in negotiations with Spa Nursing Home Group about the purchase of the Magheraknock Road facility with permanent staff and residents assured they will be protected through the transfer process.

Although a number of legal issues need to be resolved before the transfer is complete, the company said all parties are working to make the process as swift possible.

Iris Walker, whose seriously ill husband Jimmy has been cared for in the home’s specialist dementia unit for over two years, said there was “elation and happiness” when news broke of the home’s sale.

Mrs Walker, who had previously warned that a move would kill her husband, said the threat of eviction from the home in the run-up to Christmas had reminded her of a Dickensian novel.

She had joined a team of relatives who have campaigned against the closure since it was first announced a fortnight ago with hundreds of people signing petitions to support residents and staff.

“I knew I had to do something and I had to do something quickly because you cannot have people thrown into the street,” she said.

“This has turned out to be the perfect Christmas present, not only for the residents and their relatives but also for the staff, who are five star.

Fellow campaigner Ruth Pickford had also feared her husband, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, would not cope with a move.

“My social worker had arranged for me to view a place in Castlewellan for Roy and that would be more convenient for me as I live in Newcastle but this is not about me,” she said.

“This is about Roy and there is no way I would move him because he is so settled where he is. The staff all know his quirks and movements.

“He might have a few moments were he might recognise some of them and I feel happy and content that he is safe in his own little world at Oakridge.

“It was pure jubilation when we heard it had been saved. There could not be a better Christmas present.”

Margaret Taylor, whose husband Richard also has advanced dementia, said she was thankful to everyone who had campaigned for the future of Oakridge and its residents.

She said moving her 88 year-old husband Richard would have been life-changing as she currently walks from her home to see him every day.

“At this stage of his life he is so vulnerable, he can no longer talk and needs help with walking and he has had several falls. He needs to be fed and is utterly dependant on others,” she said.

“I am absolutely delighted I will still be able to see Richard every day. I am so thankful to everyone who campaigned for us as the tremendous response has been heartwarming.”

Jenny Grainger, whose 82 year-old father Michael Grainger lives at Oakridge, said she was “deeply relieved” it had been saved.

Jenny, who had secured over 1,000 signatures to protest against the planned closure, said she was delighted with the widespread support for Oakridge and other homes under threat.

“It is huge peace of mind. All we can now hope for is a smooth transfer and most importantly that our elderly folk get to stay where they are,” she said.