David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have raised this matter on the Adjournment on a number of occasions because it is important for the people of Waterford city and for older people. I am looking for an update on what is being done to meet the need for additional community nursing beds. I am specifically interested in the plans to build a new specialist community nursing unit in Waterford city. I will set out the history of this issue for the Minister of State. In 2008, 19 beds at St. Bridget's ward in St. Patrick's Hospital in the city were closed on the advice of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. At that time, the then Minister for Health and Children gave a clear commitment that the beds would be replaced as part of the development of a new 50-bed community nursing unit. The last time I questioned a Minister on this matter, I was told that the commitment which had been given was subject to funding being available. The Minister also cited the Prospectus report, which looked at the need for nursing home spaces across the State. Given that the report was published in 2008, obviously it did not take account of the loss to Waterford city of 19 beds as a consequence of the closure of the ward at St. Patrick's Hospital.

The Prospectus report said that capacity was fine up to 2013. Given that we are now in 2014, it is timely to ask the Minister for Health to give us information on the Department's future plans to meet the needs of the citizens and older people of Waterford city. I would like to ask a number of questions in that context. Have the demographics changed since the Prospectus report was published in 2008? Is the need for more nursing home units accepted by the Department, the Minister and the HSE? If so, what plans are in place to build a new unit? If capital funding is to be made available, when will it actually be delivered and when will the unit be built?

I would like the Minister for Health to respond to those questions. He gave a clear commitment to the people of Waterford when he visited St. Patrick's Hospital in the city before the last general election and met patients, families and staff at the hospital. He said he was concerned about the closure of St. Bridget's ward and he gave a commitment to support the construction of a new community nursing unit on the grounds of St. Patrick's Hospital. I am interested in hearing what the current position is. Have there been any changes in the Government's thinking? Is there now an established need? Will money be available? What plans are in place to build a new unit on the grounds of the hospital?