Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

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

As the Deputy is aware, Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to appropriate quality long-term residential care, including the provision of financial assistance under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In 2012, with a budget of almost €1 billion,financial support was provided to over 22,000people in nursing homes.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary. We are all conscious that these are challenging times for the Health Service Executive in respect of all services. In the case of community nursing units, these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of the units. St. Patrick's Hospital, originally built in the 1800's has a bed complement of 134 beds comprising 95 long stay, 18 respite and 21 rehabilitation beds. The hospital is registered with HIQA for a period of 3 years with effect from 28 June 2012. HIQA inspection reports have identified the challenges posed by the design and layout of the premises in meeting the individual and collective needs of its residents. Bearing this in mind, and with the aim of maintaining and developing the provision of older person's services in Cashel, the recently published HSE South Regional Service Plan 2013 features the proposed transfer of the respite and rehabilitation beds from St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel to the adjacent vacant facilities at Our Lady's Hospital campus. As the Deputy will be aware Our Lady's underwent a significant refurbishment to the value of €21 million,completed in 2011. While at present there are no inpatient services at the hospital, a number of day services are provided. Having been refurbished to a very high standard, the hospital is not currently utilising capacity to optimum level but it has the potential to provide high quality facilities for short stay services.

The main reason for undertaking the reorganisation of services is to facilitate the refurbishment of facilities within St. Patrick's Hospital. Following the transfer of respite and rehabilitation services to Our Lady's Hospital campus, a development plan will be prepared around the remaining long stay facilities at the hospital in order to support its re-registration with HIQA, which will be due in 2015. I assure the Deputy this proposal will be worked through a consultation process with the staff and other relevant stakeholders of St. Patrick's Hospital over the coming period. In this regard a project group has been convened, the inaugural meeting of which took place on 19March 2013. Membership of the project group comprises of representation from both HSE senior management and relevant staff. I am pleased to confirm that the terms of reference and a schedule of weekly meetings were formally agreed and signed off at this meeting. It is important to note that the proposed transfer of service will improve the facilities and the environment for patients of both facilities. It also ensures the retention of a significant service in Cashel, consistent with the approach taken by the HSE South in relation to services for older people in its regional service plan.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to reaffirm that St. Patrick's Hospital Cashel will continue to play a significant role in the provision of public services for older people.

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