Residents evacuated from Skeagh House in Co Down over landslide fears

HEALTH chiefs have evacuated 17 residents from a care home in Dromore, Co Down, over a possible landslide to the building.

The move follows concerns that a retaining wall to the rear of Skeagh House could collapse.

Builders assessing landslip damage to a row of houses behind the facility advised the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to relocate all patients.

Those patients moved including 11 permanent residents, four respite residents and two intermediate care residents.

They have been safely moved to a number of other nursing homes in the nearby area.

“The safety and wellbeing of each of the residents is our priority and we can advise that by early Wednesday evening, all seventeen residents were relocated,” a statement said.

“The Trust worked with the residents and their families and other homes to identify suitable alternative accommodation and to ensure the residents transfer from Skeagh House went smoothly and with minimal disruption.”

It is not yet known when the residents will be able to return to Skeagh House.

The Trust added that keyworkers will be in contact on Thursday to ensure they are well following the relocation, and families will be kept informed.

A full risk assessment is now being carried out by builders and engineers.