The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has refuted negative social media messages surrounding the Finbar Ryan Geriatric Home which it manages and operates.
Newly-elected President of the Society, Nigel Phillip in a media release issued on Monday reassured that “those in our care are treated with love, dignity, and respect.”
Phillip also assured that the 35 residents of the Finbar Ryan Home are fully cared for and fed, “which was confirmed most recently by a visit from Inspectors from the Division of Ageing on October 13. Further, all residents of the home are and have always been, accessible to their immediate family and friends.”
Phillip explained that like many other non-governmental organisations (NGO), the Society has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, resulting in drastically reduced revenue streams.
He added that while the care of some of the residents is partially funded by their pensions or families the care provided for a large number of the residents is subsidised or funded in full by the Society and contributions made by caring citizens.
“As an organisation dedicated to serving the poor by modelling the actions of Jesus, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has played and will continue to play a vital role in assisting the poorest of the poor within our national community. We offer sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our dedicated members, staff and ‘Friends of Finbar Ryan Committee’ who have all, as unsung heroes, provided unstinting service and dedication to the cause,” Phillip said.
“We also acknowledge the national network of 65 independently run SVP Conferences and their dedicated and committed members, who tirelessly and quietly serve Trinidad and Tobago,” he added.
Last week Friday, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services in a press release, sought to distance itself from any connection or affiliation to the Finbar Ryan Geriatric Home in Goodwood Gardens, Diego Martin, after a social media post allegedly highlighted deplorable conditions residents at the home are forced to live in.
The Ministry of Social Development stated the Finbar Ryan home is a privately owned facility and does not receive subventions from the government but is managed and operated by the Society of St Vincent de Paul, a non-governmental organisation that falls under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
It did indicate that officials visited the home in May and a meeting was held in September “related to guidance to improve standards of care.”
Following recent reports, the ministry said last week, “investigators from the Division of Ageing visited the Finbar Ryan Home and reported that the residents were in reasonably good health and did not require urgent medical attention.”
The home shot into the spotlight after Progressive Empowerment Party political leader Phillip Edwards Alexander recorded a live video on his Facebook page where he alleged that the facility had not been receiving adequate funding and that residents there were not being cared for properly.
He alluded that this all stemmed from the Ministry of Social Development “firing St Vincent de Paul” which managed the now closed-down the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons (CSDP), located at Riverside car park in Port-of-Spain.
The ministry had raised concerns about how the centre was being managed by St Vincent de Paul, which the Society denied.
Meanwhile, President of the Society Nigel Phillip said the Society welcomes any financial support that concerned citizens wish to provide to assist the home in providing care for the elderly in our community.
Anyone wishing to assist can call the St Vincent de Paul office at 625-3562.