MP looks ahead to new admissions

Paying tribute to management and staff, he welcomed news that the home was not among those slated for closure.

“I am delighted,” he said, “that following a successful lobby to the Minister, Crozier House will not only remain open but that it is highly anticipated that they will be receiving new admissions in the very near future.

“This is great news for the Banbridge residential care home, which has been providing a sterling service to elderly residents for many years.

“I visited the home last year with my colleague Edwin Poots, who was then the Health Minister, to assure the residents and staff that the future of Crozier House was a priority, and one I would fight for.”

Mr Simpson said stability of good care was a basic right and one that the staff at Crozier had delivered year on year.  

“This positive decision is one they all so richly deserve,” he said, “I must pay tribute to the Home Management and staff; the wellbeing of the residents has always been their priority.”

Meanwhile, with Dromore’s Skeagh House one of 10 residential homes facing the axe, trade union Unison said it would continue to fight alongside communities, residents and families to keep the homes open.

A spokesperson for NIPSA said it was appalled at the development.

He added: “Previous commitments given by the DHSSPS and officials ring somewhat hollow now, in light of this announcement, and it will be interesting to see if MLAs and former Health Minister, Edwin Poots, who openly campaigned and protested to keep Skeagh House open in his own constituency, will remain silent now or actively join others in the campaign to protect the NHS and the retention of services and residential homes in their areas.”