#Letter: St Luke’s deserves all the support it can get

Kearsney resident, Sharon Ffoulkes Morris, writes:

I was heartbroken to read of the imminent removal of long-term disabled patients from St Luke’s Home of Healing following the withdrawal of state funding (St Luke’s hit with funding withdrawal, Courier, February 27).

The lack of reason for cancellation of funding and their removal, and non-disclosure of their relocation, smacks of high-handedness from the health department. These vulnerable people deserve and need people to advocate for them.

I would hate to think of a repeat of the Life Esidimeni scandal where patients were moved to cheaper, squalid conditions – where many lost their lives – because no one questioned or investigated. This needs transparency and public debate.

Full disclosure: I am a cottage dweller on the St Luke’s property and can attest to the high standards of care, hygiene and commitment of staff, donors and the Friends of St Luke. The Friends volunteer craft teachers, offer spiritual upliftment and organise visits by service dogs to interact with patients. This is a tragedy waiting to happen and I am genuinely concerned for the future quality of life and care for these patients.

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