Mount Cara is 'saved'

Residents and staff of Mount Cara on the northside of Cork city breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after news emerged that the care home will stay open.

The facility for older people on Redemption Road in Blackpool, was due to close next year but after many months of vigils, unhappiness and a Save Mount Cara campaign, the board of Mount Cara told residents and staff that the centre would not be winding down as previously planned. Chairperson of the Board of Management of Mount Cara, Dr John Sheehan, told the Cork Independent that Mount Cara “has been saved”.

He confirmed that all 14 residents will continue to stay at the facility and the full and part time staff will not be let go. He said: “We explored all of the options over the last few months and held talks with the HSE and HIQA. Mount Cara has entered into a partnership with a nursing home and the advantage of that is that it can now avail of the Fair Deal scheme.”

The local GP added: “This is great news for the northside as there’s a huge shortage of nursing homes and care facilities for the elderly in the area. I know some people have had to look at centres in Mallow and Youghal as there’s very little availability on the northside of Cork city.”

Dr Sheehan, who is also a Fianna Fáil councillor, said the details would be finalised in the next six to eight weeks.

“The most important thing is that all of the residents can stay and all jobs have been kept,” he said.