Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to prevent the closure by the Health Service Executive of Loughloe House, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23274/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to supporting 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 quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate and we continue to develop and improve health services in all regions of the country and to ensure quality and patient safety. The Health Service Executive has sole operational responsibility for the delivery of health and social services, including those at facilities such as Loughloe House. As the Deputy is aware this is a former welfare home located in Athlone which shares its site with Day Services for Older Persons for the area. Loughloe House has been inspected by HIQA. Numerous concerns have been raised in the course of this inspection process both in terms of the physical infrastructure and in relation to management/staffing issues. There are also concerns regarding the Fire Safety Precautions at the home. It must be appreciated that all developments have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures. The Executive has been asked to make a rigorous examination of how existing funding might be re-configured or re-allocated to ensure maximum service provision is achieved. In particular we need to ensure that the highest standard of care will continue to be provided to all residents in a safe and secure environment.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is a requirement under health legislation that the consent of next of kin or responsible relative must be sought for the removal of a person from one Health Service Executive nursing home to another, or from HSE nursing home to a private nursing home; if it is a requirement that a choice of location should be given when available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23275/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Article 29 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 (S.I. no. 236 of 2009) requires that the person in charge of the nursing home shall ensure that, insofar as practicable, residents are discharged from the centre in a planned and safe manner and discharges are discussed, planned for and agreed with the residents and, where appropriate, with their family and/or carer. This underpins criterion 10.7 of the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People that "...the resident is discharged from the residential care setting in a planned manner and the discharge is discussed, planned for and agreed with the resident or his/her representative." Nursing homes are also required under the regulations to have in place a written operational policy on "Temporary absence and discharge of residents" along with operating procedures governing the application of this policy.