The national health inspectorate says many more nursing homes in the Shannonside region could close due to increasing pressures in the sector.
Costellos Nursing Home in Ballyleague and Stella Maris in Athlone recently confirmed they will be ceasing operations due to a variety of reason - including resources and finance.
HIQA which regularly inspects facilities caring for older people, has expressed concerns this week in a newsletter over the impact the closure of smaller nursing homes will have for the overall care for older people in their own communities.
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According to the health inspectorate, the number of centres to care for older people has dropped form 217 centres in 2018 to 188 last year.
