John Whelan (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to the House. I am grateful that she is taking this question on behalf of the Department of Health because no one in the country doubts for one second the commitment, care and compassion that the Minister of State brings to her role in the area of elderly care.

The question is particularly topical and interesting because only today the Minister of State launched the Government's national positive ageing strategy. It underlines and underscores exactly my concerns that Ireland should have embedded as part of a Government policy an ageing-friendly society and services for our senior citizens in order that they can be cared for with dignity and in confidence and comfort in the autumn of their years. It is an urgent matter, as the Minister of State pointed out today, because by 2041 more than one quarter of the population, that is 1.4 million people, will be over the age of 65 years. This will put great demands and responsibility on the State and the Government because we have a duty of care to our senior citizens.

In County Laois it falls to our three important community nursing homes in Abbeyleix, Shaen near Portlaoise and Mountmellick. However, they are all operating under capacity and none are operating the full range of services they could deliver if they were given the resources, support and commitment from the HSE and the Minister for Health which, I believe, they deserve. I wish to publicly thank the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, for taking the time to visit the hospitals at Shaen and Abbeyleix. I know that she was moved and impressed by the quality and level of care that was provided for the patients and senior citizens in both hospitals.

As far back as October 2011 the HSE dropped a bombshell on the people of Laois when, without any consultation, it unilaterally announced a decision to close both Abbeyleix and Shaen hospitals. This was a mind-boggling decision and it was only halted by people power when the people of Abbeyleix and Laois came out in their thousands to protest and prevent it. It took three brave senior citizens, elderly ladies in their 90s, to go to the High Court to stop the HSE from proceeding with the decision. Thanks to the judgment of the High Court, the HSE was instructed at that stage to embark on a genuine public consultation process, which was conducted. To be fair to the people of Abbeyleix and Shaen, their families and the community at large, they engaged in that process in good faith and in an honest way but the consultation process concluded almost one year ago, last May. I understand the report from the review was forwarded to the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, sometime in the autumn of that year. The Minister has had the report and recommendations from the HSE for more than six months. I do not believe it is unfair or undue to expect that the Minister should take away the doubts, concerns and the anxiety that is being experienced by the senior citizens of Laois. He should confirm to them his commitment, the commitment of the HSE and of the Department of Health to the community nursing homes in Shaen and Abbeyleix because the people of Laois, the elderly citizens of Laois and the patients and their families who are in both hospitals receiving great care deserve to know where they stand. To be fair the issue has dragged on for too long.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Whelan for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the current position. He has outlined the history in respect of events rather well. The Abbeyleix community nursing unit is a two-storey building registered with HIQA for a period of three years with effect from 16 May 2012. The maximum number of people that can be accommodated at the community nursing unit is 33. There is also a day-care centre attached to the building. St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen, is located in a rural setting approximately 7 km from Portlaoise.

That hospital is also set out over two storeys and was registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, on 16 January 2012 for three years to provide accommodation for up to 32 people. In October and November 2011, the HSE announced the closure of St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen, and the Abbeyleix community nursing unit. In recognition of the strong views held by residents and others, however, the HSE agreed to review the position for both facilities and to embark on a new consideration of the relevant issues. I have met the three ladies involved. Not only were they brave, but also articulate and sprightly.

The new process began with a comprehensive consultation exercise. Central HSE protocol sets out how consultations and subsequent decision making should operate in this context. This protocol sets out the following: who should be consulted, including residents, next of kin, interested parties, action groups, public representatives and unions-staff representation; a named HSE official, known as the designated officer, should be given responsibility for considering all of the available views, information and evidence and for proposing a course of action based on these considerations; and the factors that should be considered by the designated officer. These include issues arising from the range of views expressed through the consultation process, the context and validity of the submissions received, an assessment by the relevant managers of the position, a medical review of the residents and any additional information.

In May 2012, this protocol was applied with the launch of a public consultation process regarding the potential closure of Abbeyleix community nursing unit and St. Brigid's Hospital. All relevant information and submissions were presented to the designated officer on 16 August 2012. The Senator will be aware that there were almost 100 submissions received and more than 60 meetings took place with interested parties, 55 of whom were with residents and next of kin.

In line with the HSE protocol, the designated officer confirmed that the relevant procedures and processes had been fully adhered to in considering these cases. He also confirmed that he had reviewed all submissions received along with the other relevant documentation that I have described. Having considered all of the information available, he formulated his recommendations and submitted them to the Department. These are being considered by the Minister and it is anticipated that an announcement will be made shortly in respect of both facilities.

Although there is nothing new in my reply, I recently checked and know that the Minister will make a decision on both facilities shortly. This will probably bring a great deal of relief to the people involved.

John Whelan (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. It is good to hear that a decision by the Minister is imminent. I have heard the word "shortly" in recent months.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I know.

John Whelan (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He has had the report on his desk since before last Christmas. Six months is a long time to consider this issue. The hospitals are not even running at the level for which HIQA has cleared them. For example, the Abbeyleix facility only has 22 patients. The community fears that moves are being taken to close it by stealth, to wear people down and to procrastinate. I urge the Minister of State to take a message to the Minister - the people of Abbeyleix, Shaen and County Laois in general are waiting anxiously for a decision. We hope that "shortly" means soon.