Drumhaw needs the support of us all

Editorial Department • Published 10 Sep 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir, - There is an old saying that “Civil Servants are not servants and they’re not civil!” That is perhaps why they require the supervision of politicians.

Mr. Corry-Finn of the Western Trust recently met with residents and staff at the Drumhaw Residential Home in Lisnaskea. It has been reported in the press that he stated that there had been no pressure placed upon residents to leave Drumhaw, nor upon staff to look for alternative employment.

It has been reported that he stated that there had been neither direct nor indirect pressure, neither suggestion nor influence, neither promise nor veiled threat. After all the fuss concerning Drumhaw’s future in recent months I doubt that anyone believes Mr. Corry-Finn.

It has been reported that Mr. Michael McGimpsey, whose department supervises the Trust, has said that he knows nothing of any actions taken or pressure applied by the Trust. He has also said that he will stand by the promise he has given to Mr. Bob Barrett & the other residents of Drumhaw that the home will remain in place for them as long as they wish to live there.

So, if all is well for Drumhaw, why are the residents so concerned, so upset, and the staff completely uncertain as to their futures? The excellence of Drumhaw is now accepted throughout the county. The happiness of the residents and their desire to remain in their “home” is well known. Mr. McGimpsey made a decent honourable decision when he gave his promise to the residents of Drumhaw. It would appear that the Trust has not been comfortable with that promise. It would appear that if the residents were to “quietly leave” the Trust would be more content and life of the civil servants made a little easier.

But what of the residents? Most are in their late 70’s or 80’s- some are even older. Throughout their lives they have worked, paid their taxes & their National Insurance. Now, most of them are paying the Trust handsomely for their care and accommodation. Most of them are paying from their savings and the proceeds of the sale of their properties - they are asking for nothing for free, They have asked only to be allowed to end their lives in their home with their friends - the staff who care for them.

Had not Mr. Barnett received the promise from Mr. McGimpsey, Drumhaw would already be closed. But that promise was not enough- Mr. Barrett, a man soon to be 90 years old, not in the best of health, had no choice but to lead a campaign to defend Drumhaw’s residents. He found the courage, the energy, and the tenacity to make the Western Trust listen to him and to accept the intentions of their minister. Surely the Dept. of Health should be better able to supervise the activities of a Health Trust than an elderly gentleman in Lisnaskea?

However, Mr McGimpsey did do the decent thing and the honourable thing by making his promise to Bob Barrett. He deserves full credit for that action.

I fervently hope that Mr. McGimpsey will make public his commitment to Drumhaw’s residents. This would relieve them of the unnecessary and cruel anxiety which they have suffered these many months.

I hope that he will also take firm action to ensure that the Western Trust applies itself by supporting him and his intentions. Clearly he should never be undermined by his own servants.

Within a few years the residents of Drumhaw will each “leave quietly” as some day we all shall. They deserve those years to be secure and contented- not embroiled in public argument. Each of us would wish that for ourselves and our relatives. It is the role of politicians to make our wishes count and to ensure that the “tail does not wag the dog”.

Yours faithfully,

John S. Potter

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Sep 10

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