Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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This matter relates to Dungloe Community Hospital in County Donegal, a publicly funded HSE community hospital that provides essential day care services and both long and short-stay beds, which are needed by the elderly population of west Donegal, which includes Árainn Mhór, the most elderly population in the country. Given its location, it is crucially important the hospital is fully supported given the increased demand for beds at the hospital.

The hospital was established in 1958 and has served the community exceptionally well since then in no small way to the staff who work in it, both retired and current. At present, according to HSE figures, there are 16 long-stay beds in the hospital and 19 short-stay beds, a total of 35 beds. That is a reduction of ten beds in recent times, which has affected the capacity of the hospital to provide essential respite care and longer stay care for those in transition from hospital treatment or who may require accommodation in the nursing unit.

This issue has been raised by the local community at a public meeting.

A public meeting was held on the issue and heard serious concerns from members of the community. The problem boils down to one issue. While I do not question the Health Service Executive's commitment to the long-term future of the hospital, the moratorium on the recruitment of staff has resulted in a lack of full support to the hospital. In the past four to six weeks, long-term sick leave among staff has increased and other staff members have retired or gone on planned maternity leave. The moratorium does not allow the HSE or hospital management to fill the vacant positions. The Department must step in and allow some degree of flexibility to enable a recruitment process to proceed to replace staff on sick leave or maternity leave as well as those who have retired.

The Health Information and Quality Authority will not allow any more than 35 beds to be occupied under current staffing levels. The facility has been well maintained and developed and in 2010 it benefited from an investment of between €500,000 and €600,000. The issue at the hospital is entirely one of staffing.

While the Health Service Executive may have the option of using agency staff, recruiting staff is a no-brainer in terms of the drain the agency option places on Exchequer resources. Some degree of flexibility must be provided to allow community hospitals such as the facility in Dungloe to replace staff who are on sick leave or maternity leave, even if only for a short period. It does not make sense that demand for services cannot be met because staff shortages cannot be addressed as a result of the moratorium on recruitment.

The Minister of State is aware of the issue I raise. The Department must show flexibility if this problem is to be resolved, not only in Dungloe Community Hospital but other hospitals in a similar position. The moratorium on recruitment in the public sector must be reviewed to meet the needs of patients in such hospitals. This must be done quickly because patients and their families are being forced to avail of alternative services, both private and public, outside their catchment area. In this case, the catchment area is a Gaeltacht area. I hope the Minister of State has some good news. The Government must give a commitment to address this important local issue.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Unfortunately, as Senator Ó Domhnaill will be aware from previous Adjournment debates, I will be reading a reply.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which the Government is examining. As he is aware, 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.

These are challenging times for the Health Service Executive 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 light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and any decisions taken by the HSE must have regard to this and the current recruitment moratorium.

As the Senator will be aware, Dungloe Community Hospital is located on the Gweedore Road, a short walk from the town centre. The facility was registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority on 22 June 2012. The registration period is three years and the current capacity is 35 beds. This consists of 16 continuing care, six respite, three convalescence-rehabilitation, two palliative care and eight assessment beds. The hospital also provides a wide range of care services, including a day hospital, outpatient clinics, an X-ray department and other specialist services, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, mental health and social work.

Dungloe Community Hospital has recently experienced an increased number of staff retirements, long-term sick leave and maternity leave. To maintain a safe level of care to patients, the Health Service Executive decided to temporarily reduce by ten the number of short-stay beds in the facility. Long-stay beds are unaffected by the decision. I understand six beds closed in the week ending 10 May, with the remaining four beds closing last week. The decision to temporarily close the beds was taken to ensure there is an adequate number of staff to safely meet all of the needs of the residents. This matter will be kept under constant review. The hospital will continue to provide respite and rehabilitation care within its current capacity. Additional respite services, if required, are available in Falcarragh Community Hospital. The HSE has asked me to assure the House that residents at the hospital are receiving a safe and quality service.

The Government is committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service. Our overall objective is to protect the viability of as many units as possible, within the funding and staffing resources available. The Department is working closely with the HSE to finalise an overall plan regarding future public provision. The plan will reflect regional need and have regard to the current severe financial constraints, restrictions on public sector staffing and recruitment as well as the ongoing need to meet service and safety standards, all of which pose challenges for community nursing units across the country. Senator Ó Domhnaill can take some solace from the fact that we are fast running out of capacity in respect of nursing home beds.