Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this issue, which I feel I know by heart as Senator Jimmy Harte raised it just last week and I gave virtually the same answer.

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 high-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 22,000 people in nursing homes. As the Deputy is aware, 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 its units. In this regard, all developments have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and Government policy to reduce the numbers employed in the public sector.

This policy requires that, by the end of 2013, the health service achieves a workforce of 98,955 whole-time equivalents. Staff appointments may be made only where an inescapable service need has been identified which cannot be addressed by other means, such as the redeployment of staff or reorganisation of services.

The recently concluded Haddington Road agreement increased the working week of nurses from 37.5 to 39 hours and also provided for increased hours for all other staff who were working less than a 39 hour week. This will have the effect of increasing the overall staff capacity available to management to deploy in service delivery.

There are 11 community hospitals in County Donegal providing 400 public beds, of which 238 are short-stay, while the remaining 162 are long-stay beds. These are supported by a wide range of community-based services. Six units have primary care centres attached, with access to services, including a public health nurse service, a community psychiatric nursing service, a home help service and an old age psychiatry service. These services are available to residents of the units as need requires.

Dungloe Community Hospital has recently experienced an increased number of staff retirements, annual leave, long-term sick leave and maternity leave. In order to maintain a safe level of care for patients, the Health Service Executive decided to reduce temporarily the number of short-stay beds by ten. This was done to ensure there would be an adequate number of staff to meet all of the needs of the residents safely. It is proposed to reopen five beds by mid-July. Arising from a temporary staff shortage owing to sick leave and annual leave, it was also decided to reduce capacity at Carndonagh Community Hospital by four beds. I understand the HSE proposes to reopen these beds on a phased basis this month.

Services at St Joseph's Community Hospital in Stranorlar include respite, rehabilitation, palliative and intermediate care and long-term residential care services. When the hospital was last inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority in April, inspectors observed that while staff provided care in a knowledgeable, competent and respectful manner, there was a concern that the complex mix of residents could make it more difficult for staff to meet the needs of long-term residents. In order to address this issue, one ward, with a dedicated staff, has now been designated for long-stay residents only. The changes mean St. Joseph's Community Hospital will now have an operational capacity of 67 beds.

Residents and their families can be assured that management and staff will continue to work to provide the highest standards of care in all community hospitals in County Donegal. The HSE has asked me to assure the House that the residents in all of these facilities are receiving a safe and high-quality service. Bed capacity across community hospitals in County Donegal will be kept under ongoing review. However, there are no current plans to reduce bed capacity further.

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