Sessions of the Covid-19 Evaluation for those who lost loved ones in nursing homes during the pandemic have been delayed, with families saying they have “lost confidence” in the prospect of getting answers from the State process.
The evaluation, established to review how Ireland handled the health crisis, has been repeatedly criticised due to its voluntary nature and terms of reference.
Prof Anne Scott, who is leading the evaluation, had said private group sessions, allowing bereaved families to voice their concerns about the care provided to their loved ones, were due to take place in February and March.
However, an email sent to some families on March 20th confirmed these meetings would be taking place later than planned. The families said this served as a further blow to their confidence in the process.
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The email said a staffing issue had “unfortunately resulted in a delay in finalising the arrangements for the private sessions”.
[ Covid inquiry: Ireland’s ‘evaluation’ is underequipped to deliver what public might expect ]
“I wish to advise you that work has resumed and we will be in touch in the coming weeks with further details, including dates, locations and the format of the private group sessions. Please note that the sessions will not be held during the Easter period [April 4th-12th],” it said.
Joe Brodie, whose mother died in a nursing home in 2021, said he was “very sceptical of the evaluation anyway”, but this has added to his concerns.
“I would really like [the State] to learn some hard lessons. When I heard this delay it made me think it’s completely under-resourced and underfunded,” he said.
“We don’t even know yet what a private group session is or how it will work. I have grave concerns about what will be achieved.”
Majella Beattie, chair of Care Champions, an advocacy group for people in nursing homes, said the latest delay was further evidence that the evaluation was not sufficiently robust to provide answers to those still grieving for lost loved ones.
“We really feel the terms of reference are weak, particularly for families who still have concerns about the days and weeks before their loved one’s deaths,” she said.
“Our loved ones are dead; they’re not coming back. But we want change and to learn from that time, so it never happens again. The evaluation is not fit for purpose.”
In a recent letter to The Irish Times, Age Action criticised the nature of these sessions as the accounts of these families “will not be published” and “we do not know whether a record will be kept of these testimonies”.
In response to queries about the delay, a spokesman from the independent Covid-19 Evaluation said it had conducted three public consultations so far and overall the work was “progressing well”.
“The evaluation is currently finalising dates for a number of grouped in-person private bereavement sessions for those who lost loved ones in long-term residential care facilities during the pandemic and are in direct contact with those that have registered to [take part],” he said.
“The evaluation is working with an external facilitator for these group sessions, which are a very important component of the evaluation’s consultation.”
The evaluation’s final report is expected to be provided to the Government by the end of the year.
