Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to update him and others who have an interest in this matter.

The 2012 national service plan of the HSE which was published in January anticipated that between 555 and 898 beds would close during the course of the year. Some 492 beds had been closed by the end of September. It is not expected that the minimum projection of 555 will be reached before the end of year. Around the time of publication of the service plan, the Minister for Health asked the HSE to draw up a viability plan for its residential units for older people. The aim of the plan is to identify the maximum number of beds and public community nursing units which can be retained in each region within existing available financial and staffing resources. This will give a clear indication of the viability of all community nursing units across the country and the composition of public bed provision in the future. The HSE is finalising the plan which will form the basis for discussions between the Department and HSE with a view to submitting a final set of proposals to the Minister.

I wish to speak about the provision of services in the midlands region. The Senator will be aware that in 2011 the HSE considered a proposal to close Abbeyleix community nursing unit and St. Brigid?s Hospital in Shaen. My colleague, the Minister for Health, and I met local action groups and elected representatives to discuss these proposals. Both of us have visited each of the units in the last year. I was sad to hear the news the Senator gave to the House about two of the Abbeyleix residents who had instigated court proceedings in 2011 to challenge the proposed closure. Our sympathy should go out to the families of the ladies in question. When I met the women who were taking the case, it struck me that they were incredibly strong, forthright and clear in their thinking, despite their advanced years. On 7 December 2011 the HSE agreed to set aside its decision to close the Abbeyleix facility. Following the court proceedings, the HSE confirmed that it intended to carry out a comprehensive consultation process before making any recommendation to the Minister on the future of the Abbeyleix and St. Brigid?s Hospital units.

On 24 May last the HSE launched a public consultation process on the planning and provision of services for older people in the midland counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath with a view to ensuring the most efficient and effective delivery of its services within available resources. Part of this process involved a review of the HSE's current long-stay residential units, including the potential closure of Abbeyleix community nursing unit and St. Brigid's Hospital in Shaen. The consultation process has been completed. I understand all of the relevant documentation was presented to the HSE designated officer for consideration on 16 August and that the officer?s recommendation is expected presently. In accordance with the HSE protocol consultation document, this recommendation will be conveyed to the national director of integrated care and the chief executive. If the HSE concludes that full closure of any unit is necessary, a recommendation to this effect must be made to the Minister. I can confirm that both facilities are registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority as designated centres for older people. Service providers are legally required to provide six months notice for the regulator before a designated centre can close.