Google maps is directing people accessing an assessment centre for COVID 19 at Steeple House in Clondalkin through a residential estate instead of directly to the centre. This is causing confusion for the clients accessing the centre andhealth concerns for residents in nearby Thornfield Square. Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has called on the HSE and the Minister for Health to immediately resolve this problem
Deputy Ward said; “Steeple House in Clondalkin is being used as an assessment centre for clients who have been diagnosed with COVID 19. The idea is that this facility will take some of the burden of the hospital services.”
“Whilst I welcome this initiative by the HSE, I have received a number of calls from residents of nearby Thornfield Square last week who had concerns about clients of the COVID 19 assessment centre at Steeple House going through their estate. I have received reports of clients of the test centre being lost in the estateand calling into people’s homes asking for directions” “This is unacceptable for the residents and also for the clients themselves”
“Residents also report that one client of the centre became very ill and an ambulance had to be called to Thornfield Square, This estate is made up of a lot of young families, some of who have contacted me stating that they have under lying health issues themselves” “The issue is that the correct entrance into Steeple House is from the 9th Lock Road by the INTREO and South Dublin County Council offices but google maps are directing people through the nearby residential estate”
“I have tested this route myself on google maps and I can see how clients of the test centre who are not familiar with the area end up in Thornfield Square. This is causing confusion and added stress to people who have already being diagnosed with COVID 19 and creating fear amongst the residents of Thornfield Square”
“The residents I spoke with have no objection to Steeple House being used as an assessment centre. They just want to maintain social distancing and keep themselves and their families safe during these challenging times”
“I have contacted the HSE and I welcome the response that they will contact clients who have appointments and give them the correct directions to Steeple House, however I feel that this is not anyway near adequate”
“I have also raised concerns about the car parking facilities at Steeple House. It is my understanding that clients are being asked to park outside the INTREO offices but there are two yellow lines on this road and whilst Car parking was discussed with the Clondalkin Community Garda Sergeant who advised that patients should park/wait in the set-down area outside the main entrance or on the road inside the main gate this will only add to the confusion.”
“I am also disappointed that the Health Service Executive is not permitted to use the car park owned by South Dublin County Council as this would alleviate the problem”
“I have also contacted Minister Simon Harris and to date have not received a response. I am calling on the HSE and the Minister to work together and resolve this problem and that common sense prevails so that clients who have tested positive with COVID 19 are directed to the service they need and not sent through a residential estate”
