Soldiers have been deployed to three nursing homes across the country as the Covid-19 crisis takes its toll on the health system.
The Irish Mirror can reveal that 25 soldiers from the Defence Forces have been sent to homes in Co. Cork and Co. Clare and will remain there over the coming weeks.
Defence Forces members from Collins Barracks in Cork will be on hand to help staff in the homes at the request of the HSE.
It's understood that soldiers are infantry only and not medical operatives and therefore will not be carrying out any medical-related duties.
Instead, they will carry out "non-clinical general duties".
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said in a statement: "Following a request for the HSE, Óglaigh na hÉireann have deployed over 25 soldiers to nursing homes in Ballincollig, Douglas and Ennis.
"These soldiers, based in Collins Barracks Cork, will be deployed daily over the coming weeks to assist nursing home staff with non-clinical general duties."
One of the homes in question, Cahercalla Community Hospital in Ennis, reportedly sent out an SOS call to the HSE following intense pressure on staff in recent weeks.
Some 40-plus cases of Covid-19 were reportedly confirmed in Cahercalla alone.
A letter to staff – signed by Dr Michael Harty, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and posted on social media – says the HSE had been asked to provide a replacement management team this week on an interim basis "due to the unsustainable pressures placed on all staff."
The letter adds that the replacement team is being brought in following a "recent outbreak" to "ensure the continued self care and welfare of the residents and the wellbeing of staff."
It states: "The exhaustion and unbearable stress from continuous long working days without a break over the past two weeks has taken its toll on the senior clinical and administration team. They are physically and mentally exhausted and need a period of time to recover."
The news comes as the health system in Ireland faces increasing pressure due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases here.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said yesterday that nursing homes are under "significant pressure", adding that "about 25% of them would have outbreaks".
