Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The provision of short-stay beds, including respite beds, is an integral part of the integrated model of care for the provision of services for older persons. I am aware the services provided in Clifden District Hospital are highly valued by the wider community and in older person services in HSE Community healthcare west. Unfortunately, short-stay capacity in public hospitals and community nursing units can be impacted for a number of reasons. These include HIQA. As Deputy Connolly said earlier, HIQA has found no fault in Clifden District Hospital. Short-stay capacity can also be impacted because of infection prevention and control and staffing challenges.

As I have already outlined, we are very aware of the challenges that Clifden District Hospital faces. I advise Deputy Connolly that the HSE has assured the Department that it is committed to providing services to older people to meet the demands for short- and long-term services for people in Galway. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was delighted to hear the integrated care programme for older persons was launched at Clifden District Hospital last month. ICPOP services ensure that older people with complex care needs can access care quickly or near home through care pathways specifically designed for older people. They target frailty, falls and dementia. This is a welcome addition to the Clifden District Hospital. I assure the Deputy there are no plans to close Clifden District Hospital. I reiterate that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is fully committed to working alongside the HSE to ensure that services at Clifden District Hospital continue.

I must compliment Breda Crehan-Roche on the work she does. If I were to lean on her, it would be in the context of saying that it is vital that the service stays open at all times. We cannot have an ad hoc approach whereby it opens and closes. We need to ensure the staffing, even if it is relief staff coming from community healthcare in the city, must be provided. We need a pragmatic approach to ensure that at all times Clifden District Hospital remains open and that the people in the community are reassured that the service is stable and responding to the needs.

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