Riverwalk respite centre to reopen in Carndonagh - but mother still has misgivings

Riverwalk Respite House in Carndonagh is set to reopen from next month.

Carers and public representatives had been calling on the government to restore it since the vital service was halted in recent years. The reopening was also further delayed in recruiting staff.

An Inishowen mother of a 35-year-old, who is “burnt out” from the lack of respite services, has welcomed the announcement but says she won't be getting her hopes up until it reopens.

The Inishowen woman, who doesn’t wish to be named publicly, said: “We have been hearing it's going to open for the last four to five years but until it happens, we won't believe it.”

The HSE has confirmed that the service will resume four days per week from April 3 and it's believed the four days will cover the weekend. The Inishowen mother said this arrangement isn't ideal as parents would prefer if the respite was during the week.

“The big difference is during the week you are given more of a break because you have to be up early to get them ready for the bus while on a weekend they are around the house anyway.”

It is expected that if the HSE acquires more staff, then Inishowen’s only respite centre service will be extended to seven days per week. At the most recent Regional Health Forum West it was announced that Riverwalk Respite House is in the process of filling essential staff positions.

One Healthcare Assistant has been successfully appointed and a second is in the final stage of being appointed. However, the vacant Staff Nurse position remains unfilled, as no suitable candidates were found within the HSE Human Resources department panel.

The search for a qualified candidate has been expanded to include additional panels within the broader counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan.

The mother who has been caring for her son for 35 years said it is essential that her child and other families have a nurse available at the facility.

“I thought great when I heard the news, but they aren't prepared. We have had so many promises in the past, I will be afraid until it is open.”

“My child and many others with a learning disability require a nurse to be on duty before they can avail of respite so a nurse is essential before they go ahead. Respite needs to be put in place seven days a week but also needs to be available for all, from the severe to moderate cases.”

“Some people would prefer two nights of respite regularly but I would like to have it for special occasions. I do think it is essential that it is regular, so the person using it is familiar with the staff and they are familiar with them, and that is one reason it needs to be open on a full-time basis.”

While Riverwalk is planned to reopen in April, the Inishowen mother feels one facility in the peninsula won't be enough, as there is a need for a separate facility for children and adults.

“The one in existence in Letterkenny is one week for children with the following week for adults. It means if I have a wedding and it is the week children are in, then it isn't available to my son. “In an ideal world, there would also be a facility available for emergencies in the event of an emergency occurring. If I have an emergency here and my son needs to go in then I know it's not costing someone their respite because of it. That is an issue that would have arisen in the past.”

Most carers know that respite is essential no more so than the Inishowen mother who, along with her husband, are their son's only carers as they head into their retirement years.

“The two nights we got a couple of weeks ago [the first they have received in three years] we could breathe and realise how badly you need it and of course, two nights isn't long enough. Once people begin to use it, they would realise how essential it is for their mental health because you're constantly living on stress.”

Meanwhile, 100% Redress TD Charles Ward has welcomed the announcement of its reopening.

“This development represents a significant and necessary advancement for families and individuals who have been deprived of these vital respite services for an extended period. It is important to acknowledge the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of the community, which has played an instrumental role in achieving this progress,” he said.

“Nonetheless, despite the encouraging nature of this announcement, it is imperative that we emphasise the importance of timely implementation. The community cannot bear the burden of any further delays in this process. Therefore, we urge that recruitment efforts be prioritised, ensuring that the planned expansion to seven-day services is realised as swiftly as possible,” added Deputy Ward.