Jimmy Harte (Labour)

In the light of the recent publicity surrounding the judgment in the Abbeyleix nursing home case, perhaps the Minister for Health might return to the House to discuss the implications. On Friday night I attended a meeting in Lifford in which the community hospital is under threat. When I visited the 20-bed hospital in the afternoon, one of the residents told me that they had never been asked for their opinion by the Health Information and Quality Authority, the HSE or anyone else. HIQA can assess medical environments in buildings, but, to the best of my knowledge and that of the residents, it has never asked them how they feel about moving. This should be the real measurement of quality of care. One woman in her 80s whom I have known for a long time asked me not to let the nursing home close. She asked me to give my word, to which I replied that I would do my best. HIQA and the HSE are missing the point; this is about patient and family satisfaction. The hospital in Lifford is old, but the care provided is exemplary. Will the Minister undertake to ensure its residents and those of other hospitals will be asked for their views, as opposed to HIQA relying solely on the views of medical personnel?

The views of the patient are paramount. I, therefore, ask that the Minister come in to the House to discuss the issue in the light of the ruling in the Abbeyleix case.