North West Parents & Friends Association

Message from the Services Manager

29/10/2020

I would like to start by acknowledging the hard work, committment and dedication of our Board of Directors, our Chairperson, all of our Managers, Administration Team and staff during the past 8 months since the onset of COVID-19.  I am very grateful that our Management and staff continued providing essential services throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic and our priority going forward is working together with all stakeholders to keep staff and service users safe.

RSW

RSW remained closed from March 2020 in line with National Guidelines.  We are pleased to say that RSW re-opened on 31st August, 2020 to continue to give a reduced Day Service to service users who are deemed as high priority.  Much learning continues virtually and our service users and staff are finding new ways of working using technology sponsored by HSE and Sligo County Council.  We received funding for 2 laptops and 9 tablets which we are very grateful for.

All our staff have completed training in the use of P.P.E., social distancing, donning and doffing and hand hygiene.  Our staff have also completed our Site Specific Services Response and Resumption Plan supporting people with disabilities in the context of Covid 19.

St. Ciarans Day Service

St. Ciarans Day Services have re-opened on 31st March, while at a reduced level.  The aim is to get back to 50% for all Service Users.  This will require additional funding from the HSE and also requires additional transport.  All staff have completed all Covid related training, and continue to follow all National Guidelines.  Staff continue to support service users and families through outreach activities.

Castleconnor Resource Centre.

This day service is operating for 1 service user at present.  An alternative location has been sourced for the provision of day service in Enniscrone.  Awaiting approval from the HSE.  All service users attending pre-covid are currently in Residential placements and not coming to day service.  Consultation ongoing with H.S.E.

Holy Family Pre-School

Once again a big thank you to Management and staff who continued to work right through the Pandemic to provide support children and their families.  We wish the best of luck to our 14 children who were discharged this year and welcome 14 new children this year.  We have 2 staff retiring in the near future and we would like to thank Margaret and Christopher for their years of excellent service to Holy Family and we will miss them both.

St. Joseph’s Special School.

The school has reopened in line with all other schools and following the National Guidelines.  New Deputy Principal appointed.  New Portacabin installed which was grant aided by the Department of Education and Skills.  7 school leavers this year and we wish them all well in the future. Check out their Face Book page for updates “ST Joseph’s Sligo”  Increased funding available for capitation, cleaning, minor works and P.P.E.

Lakelodge Community Group Home and Thornvilla Community Group Home

Staff during the closure of Day services have been re-deployed to Lakelodge CGH to support our service users during the day and evening and week-ends.  Congratulations to Geraldine currently on maternity leave with a lovely bouncing baby boy.  We welcome our new staff to both homes and hope they settle in well to their positions.  All service users staying in touch with their families virtually.  Visiting guidelines being followed.  A big thank you to all the staff who worked tirelessly throughout the Pandemic.

We also would like to wish Amanda well in her new post with the HSE.  Amanda has worked for NWPF for a long number of years.  We wish Kathleen well as she commences her maternity leave.

A big thank you to all the staff who have successfully completed their re-registration inspections with HIQA.  Well done to all.

88 Rathedmond Community Group Home.

The house is currently prepared and ready to be used as an isolation centre if required.  Thank you to staff for facilitating the re-registration inspection even though they were redeployed to another service.

Sunbeam Lodge Community Group Home

This home continues to operate full time Residential and Shared Care.  Enhanced infection controls measures in place and all staff have completed all Covid related training.  Sadly, we lost one of our service users who has resided with us since 2005.  This gentleman passed away in the Hospice on 8th September, 2020. R.I.P. His death was non Covid related.  A big thank you to the Management and Staff for the excellent care he received.

Sunbeam House Respite.

This house closed on 16th March, 2020.  A variation of this house was applied for with HIQA in order to use this house for isolation purposes, if required.  Crisis repite continued to be provided throughout the Pandemic.  Currently we have 12 children on our books to avail of respite.

General Points

* A full HSE review was carried out on North West Parets and Friends Services in July 2020 to address underfunding in many of our services.  First meeting held on Wednesday, 21st October, 2020 to address some issues.

* Full PPE is being supplied by the HSE to all services

* NWPF have developed Prepardness Plans re Covid and this is updated weekly.

A huge thanks again to all our Managers, Administration Team and Staff who have continued to work tirelessly without complaining.  All of  you are our biggtest resources.

Evelyn Carroll, Services Manager