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The director of a Galway nursing home, where most of the staff and 26 of 28 residents tested positive for the coronavirus, said her faith in people has been restored after many across the country contacted her to offer help. .
Patricia MacGabhann, Director of Nursing at Nightingale Nursing Home, Ahascragh, said nurses, caregivers and GPs from across Ireland have contacted her to try to help her. Ms. MacGabhann requested help for Joe Duffy’s Liveline program on RTÉ Radio 1.
MacGabhann had said that a resident of the home had been admitted Monday to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe with Covid-19. Subsequently, the entire nursing home was examined and 25 of the 27 patients were found to be positive. All but four of the staff were also positive. As a result, a nurse and a social worker had worked 13-hour shifts caring for patients. One resident died from the virus and two have been hospitalized.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms MacGabhann said that a nurse formerly employed at Nightingale who is now based in Australia has been in contact “desperately trying to find a way to help.”
A truck arrived at the home Friday with dietary supplements for residents, he said.
“People have proven to be very kind and we are very, very grateful,” said Ms MacGabhann.
Ms MacGabhann, who is isolated at home with Covid-19, said that her decision to speak publicly had nothing to do with “criticizing the HSE” but was about “standing up for on behalf of my residents and staff.”
After she and Dr. Martin Daly, the general practitioner for a third of the center’s residents, spoke out Thursday, the HSE provided additional staff. HSE officials have said that staff are lined up to support the nursing home for the next few days.
Ms. MacGabhann said, “I think my faith in people has been greatly restored.” He paid tribute to nurse Mari and caregiver Paula, who have worked 13-hour shifts every day.
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