Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health.

The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This is clearly what older people want and only those in genuine need of residential care should go down that route. Short-term beds, including rehabilitation beds, contribute to the provision of an integrated model of care for older people enabling them to return home following a period of hospital care or postponing admission to long stay residential care.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Joseph's Hospital in Ennis. St. Joseph's is registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority. The hospital has a total potential capacity of 142 beds. This includes four separate residential units, a day hospital and a short stay rehabilitation unit. The rehabilitation unit comprises 22 beds which are consultant led. The occupancy levels of the unit are variable and quite often there are vacancies. As of 30 April the occupancy of the rehabilitation unit was 14 patients.

In recent days, in addition to the routine staffing pressures and limited agency availability, the HSE was presented with a significant additional staffing challenge at St. Joseph's. Unfortunately this has resulted in a number of staff being unavailable for duty in the short-term. As a result of this development, the director of nursing decided to temporarily move the 14 patients from the rehabilitation unit to other long stay units in St. Joseph's Hospital. The patients will continue to receive their rehabilitation in these units. This move will assist in providing appropriate levels of care to them, particularly at night. It is important to stress that this is not a closure of the rehabilitation unit but only a temporary measure for the shortest period of time possible which will not affect the patients receiving their rehabilitation care. The HSE expects the situation to be resolved within the next fortnight. It will continue to monitor and review the situation and any decisions made will be to ensure the best possible care for all of the residents currently in the facility.

The House will be aware that the management of resources and service planning is a matter for the HSE in the first instance. Quality care and patient safety come first and the director of nursing is obligated in discharging her duties to take the appropriate steps for the management of patient profile and the staffing resources available to her. The HSE has confirmed there is no intention to close services at St. Joseph's and this temporary cohorting of patients was considered in the best interest of their care. The Minister for Health will continue to monitor this situation carefully and has asked the HSE to keep him updated on progress.

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