A meeting will be held in Markethill this Thursday to discuss concerns around Hebron House being brought back into use.
The care home, which closed three years ago, had previously operated as a residential and respite care service for adults.
Recently, it has been announced the facility will reopen – spearheaded by GoodPeople Healthcare Ltd – as a residential care home.
GoodPeople are an organisation that employs people in the healthcare sector in Ireland. It is headed up by CEO, Pastor Gerard Chimbganda.
The open day will be held this Thursday at 6pm to allow the public an opportunity to get more information on the new venture. There will also be a recruitment open day the following Thursday at 7pm.
Once refurbishment work is completed, the plans to bring the Main Street facility back into operation will progress forward.
Last night (Monday), Alderman Paul Berry and Councillor Keith Ratcliffe met with GoodPeople to discuss the project and its future.
It was confirmed at that meeting that nobody is currently resident in the building, but a training day had been held at the premises for nursing staff.
Speaking to Armagh I, Pastor Gerard Chimbganda said: “We run a domiciliary care service in the UK and Ireland and yesterday invited people to see the place and to complete some training.
“It will be a residential care home, not a nursing home. We are trying to provide a service for those with learning disability and those who are coming out of hospital. There are apartments at the back for respite care too.”
Pastor Gerard added that the building is still undergoing renovation and that he is keen to address concerns within the community.
He said: “We have nothing to hide. There is no harmful deal happening. I am sure the Health and Social Care Trust will be happy to have 21 beds back in operation. All of our staff are checked and vetted and will have completed an Access NI check.
“We are an accredited provided employing a multinational workforce with over nine nationalities and the workforce for Hebron House will be the same.
“We absolutely want local people to be involved and we will be posting recruitment advertising next week and would welcome all local people interested in working with us to attend our recruitment open day to express their interest.”
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