Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for elder care, Deputy Jim Daly. The Minister of State would like to reassure the Deputy that the current and future care needs of the residents of the Rosalie unit has been paramount in all decisions and actions taken by the Health Service Executive, HSE. The Rosalie unit is located in Castlerea, County Roscommon. It is a continuing care facility for psychiatric and later-life patients. There are currently 12 residents in the Rosalie unit and the stated intention of the HSE is to continue to provide care for these residents in line with the needs identified in their individual care plans.

The Government committed to, and prioritised, the reform of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change. The strategy set out a comprehensive policy framework for the development of these services. In line with the strategy, it is the HSE's position that there is an urgent need to improve mental health services in Roscommon and this was highlighted in the independent review of the services in 2017. As part of the improvement process and in order to best address the patients' care needs, the residents of the unit had clinical assessments carried out by the HSE consultant-led multidisciplinary team. The clinical assessments of the residents of the Rosalie unit indicated that their care needs had changed since admission, to include physical care needs, and that their individual future care needs would be best met outside the Rosalie unit.

This assessment was reaffirmed by independent clinical assessments. Specialist consultant psychiatrist of later life, Dr. James Anderson, was engaged to carry out the assessments of the Rosalie unit residents in December 2018 to determine their clinical needs, dependency levels, and optimum care setting. As part of the process, next of kin and relatives of the residents were invited to attend at the clinical assessments, so that their views could be taken on board. Independent advocacy was provided to residents and their relatives throughout the clinical assessment process. Dr Anderson's independent report concluded that at the time of assessment, a number of patients required inpatient psychiatric care in a different setting, and that the remaining patients' needs require general nursing care. Individual plans in respect of the future care arrangements for each resident of the Rosalie unit will be discussed thoroughly with the residents and their next of kin, in order that their individual needs can be met in the most comprehensive way, and in the most appropriate setting.

The clinical team and an independent advocate will be available to support them through this process. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, wants to assure the Deputy that the focus has always been on the well-being of residents throughout this process, and it will remain so. Clinical advice that has been independently verified has stated that the current residents' care needs would be best met in a more appropriate setting, and the HSE has a duty to act on this advice.

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