Northern Ireland

Staff at west Belfast nursing home praised for commitment to move in with residents in event of lock-down

Brooklands nursing home in west Belfast is taking special precautions against the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Brooklands nursing home in west Belfast is taking special precautions against the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Cliff Donaldson Brooklands nursing home in west Belfast is taking special precautions against the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Staff at a west Belfast care home have been praised for their commitment after it emerged some have agreed to move in and look after vulnerable residents should a lock-down occur amid the Coronavirus crisis.

It is understood that as part of contingency plans, at least seven staff working at Brooklands Nursing Home in Dunmurry have agreed to move in and care for residents.

Currently, no visitors are allowed into the home amid measures to help ensure the elderly residents do not catch Covid-19.

In a bid to keep families connected, staff at Brooklands have undertaken a commitment to help residents video call their relatives daily and provide updates.

Colette McManus. who's 87-year-old mother Clare has lived in Brooklands for the past three years, praised the commitment of staff.

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"It's unreal," said the west Belfast grandmother.

"To me, that's going above and beyond".

Mrs McManus said her mother, who needs 24/7 care, had been able to Facetime the family with the help of the staff.

"It's already in lock-down regarding visitors," she said.

"It is dreadful. We can't go over to them.

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"If it goes into total lock-down, they have already got a plan in place. Words can't described how I feel. It's very emotional to think that staff would go that far. That's how much they love those residents.

Jarlath Conway, Director of the Conway Group which operates Brooklands Nursing Home and Kilwee Care Home, which is on the same site, said the company was "very proud" of its staff.

"It is not a nice time for anybody," he said.

"We have a list of names of staff who are prepared to facilitate that," he said.

"We have commitment in place. As you know, every day brings its own challenge.

"We are very proud indeed. We have very committed staff. It is no easy ask of them".