James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to update the House on this matter.

Abbeyleix community nursing unit provides continuing care, day care and respite services to people in Laois and Offaly and the bordering areas of Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Kildare. It is a two-storey building, formerly a fever hospital, acquired by the Midland Health Board in 1960. Residents live on the ground floor which is divided into two separate units. The unit has a maximum capacity of 50 beds. At present there are 28 residents, all with maximum dependencies. Four respite beds are in use.

The Health Service Executive has advised that the reducing funding allocation being experienced across all HSE services, together with staff losses as a result of the public sector moratorium, combined with the anticipated losses of staff between now and the end of the year, make it essential that it now moves to consolidate the overall provision of long-stay care within the Dublin and mid-Leinster region.

An inspection report published by HIQA in February 2011 concluded that the ratio of staff to residents at the Abbeyleix unit was not adequate to meet the needs of the mainly maximum dependency residents. It also noted that the building is old and has a number of multi-occupancy bedrooms which do not meet the requirements of the national standards. Taking all these factors together, the HSE took the decision to proceed with the closure of Abbeyleix community nursing unit. It will also consult and communicate with residents families, staff, public representatives and key people in the wider community including Friends of the Hospital, Age Action, local GPs, clergy and the Garda..

The selection of an alternative placement for residents will be informed by the medical and care needs of each resident as evaluated by clinical staff. The implementation plan will also take into consideration the proximity of the identified nursing unit to the relatives. It is intended that the residents will be transferred to public units, where appropriate, and that the remaining residents will be transferred to private nursing homes. Staff from Abbeyleix community nursing unit will be transferred to re-open closed beds and-or prevent the closure of other public beds resulting from moratorium losses in the area.

In relation to the other services provided at Abbeyleix community nursing unit, I can confirm that the day care services will continue to cater for the needs of the 90 clients - approximately 24 per day - who use the service, and there are plans to further enhance this service in the future. The respite service for the current eight clients will continue, but it is intended that this service will transfer to a private provider following consultation with the families concerned. I also assure the House that the primary care centrelocated on the grounds of the facility will also continue in line with the HSE primary care strategy.

The changes to the service I have outlined will help to ensure that the HSE will achieve the highest standards of care for the most efficient deployment of resources.

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