Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and I thank Deputy Upton for raising it.

The issues raised are appropriate to the Health Service Executive working in conjunction with the hospital concerned. The Deputy's question centres on the movement of patients from acute hospitals to nursing care at an alternative location and on the issue of consent by families to the placement of their relatives. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a complex issue and one which requires sensitive management in all cases.

Every effort is made by the executive and individual hospitals to ensure that patients are placed in a care setting which is appropriate to their individual needs. This involves interaction both at hospital and community level and the input of a number of care disciplines, for example, clinical, nursing and allied health professionals.

Hospitals are encouraged to commence discharge planning with patients and their families as early as possible in all cases. Patients may be discharged to a range of settings. Hospitals engage extensively with patients and families to ensure that the post-hospital requirements of the individual are comprehensively assessed and that as much choice as possible is made available. It is not always possible to place a patient in a facility close to the family.

In certain circumstances, a family may be offered financial support to cover travel costs where a specialist placement may be some distance from the family home. At all times, the hospital strives to advise patients and their families and to ensure that the best solution is agreed.

The Department of Health and Children is advised by the HSE that a reply has issued to the Deputy regarding the two specific cases raised. The HSE advises that in both cases a place was offered in a nursing home but was refused. Alternative places have been identified and these are the subject of ongoing contacts between the HSE and families. Every effort will be made by the executive to accommodate the wishes of the families concerned. The HSE advises that, regarding the third case, the hospital is engaged in ongoing consultation with the family with regard to suitable placement of the patient.

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