At 45 years old. David Duffin is living with multiple sclerosis and had been residing in a nursing home in New Ross, Co Wexford, far away from his home in Waterford, just prior to recently being moved to Dublin’s National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRG) for treatment.
His sister and daughter, Sharon and Claudia, have appealed for more support so David can return home eventually to Waterford and be surrounded by his loved ones.
The petition on the website change.org is called ‘Help bring David back to Waterford’ and was started by Sharon.
At 45 years old David Duffin is living with multiple sclerosis
She said David needs daily visits by his family and friends. “He rings me 20 times a day for company, she said.
David has a daughter and three grandchildren and is “missing out on precious memories”, she added.
David’s daughter, Claudia, said he is now receiving rehabilitation to improve his quality of life at the NRH, where he was moved for treatment for a few weeks.
“He has been living in a nursing home since May 2025 and when his rehab is completed, he might have to return here due to the limitations of appropriate accommodation for people under 65 with a lifelong illness,” said Claudia.
David has always coped well with his illness and was very independent up until he became very unwell last December.
“He then spent seven long months in a Waterford hospital, waiting for a nursing home to accept him due to his high care needs.
David Duffin is living with multiple sclerosis.
News in 90 Seconds – 29th December 2025
“Although we understand his needs are high, he still deserves a place to live that isn’t a nursing home. It’s not where he should be. He has three young grandkids as well and all of his family travel to New Ross weekly to see him from Waterford.
“David misses being in his own locality, which is Waterford city, and he deserves to have family around him more often than they can be right now.”
Claudia said the family greatly appreciates the NRH giving her dad a chance to regain some of the very important things in life he has missed out on due to his MS, such as his ability to eat and his mobility.
“Since he’s been there almost two weeks some of these things have already been improving so it would be great for him if he could return to a place that is more suitable for him at the end of his rehab and 2026 can be a better year for him,” added Claudia.
“This relocation was not a choice but a necessity – no nursing home in Waterford was able to accommodate his complex care needs. This separation is causing him significant emotional distress,” states the petition.
“This situation is not only unfair but deeply isolating. He is a Waterford native, born and bred, and like anyone facing such vulnerable times in their life, he deserves the comfort and familiarity of his home, family, and friends.”
“We recognise the challenges that nursing homes face in accommodating those with advanced care needs, but we are calling on local health authorities, nursing home administrators, and community leaders to come together to find a solution.
“With compassion, planning, and resources, we believe it is absolutely possible to bring him closer to his roots, to his loved ones.
“Your signature can show support for prioritising community health needs, increasing resources in Waterford for people with multiple sclerosis and in nursing homes, and recognising the human element in healthcare also bringing awareness to the amount of people with multiple sclerosis under the age of 65 living in nursing homes around Ireland.”
The petitioner said that in Ireland, there are over 1,200 people under the age of 65 in nursing homes due to the lack of adaptable housing and appropriate accommodation for these people in Ireland.
“Stand with us to help raise awareness for these people and help bring David back to Waterford so he can be nearer to his family and friends.”