Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I also convey the apologies of the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, for being unavoidably absent. I hope the Deputy with be happy that I am responding. 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 and their families want, and only those in genuine need of residential care should go down that route.

Short-term beds, including respite and 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 a long-stay residential care setting.

The HSE is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Fermoy. The community hospital provides long-term, respite, convalescent and palliative care. It was registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority on 28 June 2015 for a period of three years, with a maximum occupancy of 72 beds. The hospital normally caters for people over 65 years of age, but also provides care to young chronic sick patients and palliative care to adults.

Following a number of unexpected staff absences and early retirements, at present Fermoy community hospital does not have sufficient nursing staff to maintain safely the full range of services. Therefore, the HSE decided to close temporarily the 12-bed Sonas ward. The beds closed on 6 July. This temporary reduction will affect beds used for short-stay services and is expected to remain in place until the end of August. The nursing homes support office is working with local public health nurses in facilitating those patients who normally avail of respite in Fermoy to access respite in other facilities nearby.

The Minister and the Department have been assured by the HSE that this is a temporary measure only, which I know is the main point of concern for Deputy O'Keeffe. A recruitment campaign for nursing staff is in progress. Interviews which were originally to take place in early August have been brought forward to next week. Offers will be made to successful candidates as soon as possible, and it will then depend on how soon they are available to take up duty. I hope it will be as soon as possible after they are offered positions.

The director of nursing and the general manager have met staff representatives to explain why the decision needed to be taken and to outline the steps being taken to reopen the beds by the end of August. The House is aware the management of resources and service planning are matters for the HSE in the first instance. Quality care and patient safety come first, and the HSE is obliged to take the appropriate steps for the management of patient profiles and the staffing resources available. The HSE has confirmed there is no intention to close services at Fermoy, which I know the Deputy will welcome. This temporary measure was taken in the best interests of safety and maintaining services to long-stay residents and those availing of short-stay beds.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will continue to monitor this situation carefully, and has asked the HSE to keep her and the Minister updated on progress. I hope this answer is helpful to the Deputy.

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