Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to appropriate quality long-term residential care, including the provision of financial assistance under the nursing homes support scheme. In 2012, with a budget of almost €1 billion, financial support was provided to over 22,000 people in nursing homes.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Joseph's Community Hospital in Stranorlar. As the Senator is aware, these are challenging times for the HSE in respect of all services. In the case of community nursing units, these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of its units. In this regard, all developments have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and Government policy to reduce the numbers employed in the public sector. This policy requires that by the end of 2013, the health service achieves a workforce of 98,955 whole-time equivalents. Staff appointments may be made only where an inescapable service need has been identified and which cannot be addressed by other means, such as the redeployment of staff or reorganisation of services. The recently concluded Haddington Road agreement has increased the working week of nurses to 39 hours from 37.5 and also provided for increased hours for all other staff who were working less than a 39 hour week. This will have the effect of increasing the overall staff capacity available to management to deploy in service delivery.

St. Joseph's Community Hospital was registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority in June 2012. The registration period is for three years and the current capacity is 75 beds. The hospital provides a range of services, including respite, rehabilitation, palliative and intermediate care and there are 27 beds available for long-term residential care. Day services are available from Monday to Friday and this supports the discharge planning processes at the hospital. Older persons can avail of personal care, assistance with medical care and meal provision. This provides respite to relatives and carers on a sessional basis up to five days a week.

The hospital was last inspected by HIQA in April 2013. Concerns were expressed regarding the complexity of the mix of residents and the level of activity within the unit. While the inspectors observed that staff provided care in acknowledgeable, competent and respectful manner, there was a concern that this complex mix of residents can make it more difficult for the staff to meet the needs of long-term residents. To address this issue, the Barnes View ward has now been designated for long-stay residents only. Dedicated staff have been assigned to the ward, which opened on 10 June last. I am confident that this response will facilitate improved compliance with national standards.

Arising from this reconfiguration, staff reassignments and revised rosters were required. These changes have been agreed and the revised rosters implemented with effect from 24 June. When all changes have been completed St. Joseph's will have an operational capacity of 67 beds, including the 27 long-stay beds. Residents and their families can be assured that management and staff will continue to work to provide the highest standards of care at St. Joseph's. The HSE has asked me to assure the House that the residents are receiving a safe and quality service. Bed capacity across all community hospitals in Donegal will be kept under ongoing review. However, although the moratorium on recruitment remains in place, there are no current plans to further reduce bed capacity.