INDEPENDENT Moyle councillor Padraig McShane has called on the Northern Health Trust to explain why admissions are not being made to Rathmoyle Care Home in Ballycastle.
Cllr McShane who has been acting on behalf of a local family whose mother has been receiving care at Rathmoyle says, while he is aware that Rathmoyle is ear-marked for closure, he cannot understand why patients are not being admitted while the service is still available.
Cllr Mc Shane said: “I have contacted the Northern Health and Social Care Trust several time but unfortunately they have failed to respond.
“The family are aware of the demise of Rathmoyle but both they and I fail to understand why admissions are being refused while it is still there to provide a service.
“The family have asked me to stress how highly they regard the staff, clients and their families that make up the Rathmolye community.”
A spokesperson for the Trust said: “The Trust cannot comment on individual cases. The Northern Trust is currently working on a proposal to develop a replacement for Rathmoyle residential home with a new build, supported living scheme on the current site.
“This new scheme will see a significant investment in the Ballycastle area, providing up-to-date accomodation with care for older people which will match the best of any such provision in these islands.
“The Trust is aware of how essential residential care is to users and their carers and we will ensure that people will continue to have their assessed needs met.”