The Galway based Croí Heart & Stroke charity is supporting local health services in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
For the past three weeks Croí has ceased all of its face to face programmes to comply with social distancing to combat the coronavirus, and given its, now unused, facilities over to the health service.
“With all programmes ceased, we had an empty building which is adjacent to GUH, and we felt that it could be put to good use in the battle against COVID-19.
“We are delighted that the HSE are now using Croí Centre as a Contact Tracing Centre,” said CEO of Croí Neil Johnson.
The Croí Courtyard Apartments owned by Croí have also been given over to the health service for use during this crisis.
Ordinarily they are part of the charity’s patient support service, a place where the relatives of those emergency cardiac and stroke care in Galway can stay free of charge.
But with visiting bans in place across Galway University Hospitals, they have been offered for the use of ICU staff who have to distance from their families as a safety precaution.
While the Croí building is now being used for other purposes, their health team are still available and providing daily support to people living with heart disease, obesity, diabetes and recovering from stroke.
Services are now being delivered via their their telephone helpline (091-544310) and regularly updated information and resources on the Croí website and across all Croí social media channels.
Commenting on the impact of COVID-19 on Croí, Neil Johnson said “All charities are being hit very badly by the current crisis. For Croí we are no different.
“All our income lines have literally dried up at a time of greatest need for the supports we provide to those who are most vulnerable to the Coronavirus.”
“We are heartened to still be receiving donations from some individuals and organisations who are in a position to do so.”
“We know we will manage to get through this difficult period and we remain available to patients and carers to support them in whatever way we can.”
