Written answers

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Department of Health

Care of the Elderly

8:00 pm

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the new 50-bed community hospital which was promised by the Health Service Executive when it closed St. Brigid's ward of St. Patrick's Hospital, County Waterford, thereby reducing the total bed count of the hospital to 78%. [28471/11]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Concerns had been expressed in relation to health and fire safety at St Brigid's, a 19 bed ward, which was the last remaining ward on an upper floor of St Patrick's Hospital, Waterford. As a consequence of these concerns, the HSE decided that it was no longer viable to continue to accommodate residents in the ward and it was closed on a phased basis in 2009. The primary focus of the decision was the care and welfare of each resident. In view of the closure of St Brigid's, the HSE took steps during 2009, to ensure that there was no reduction in the number of public beds to support older people in Waterford City. Arrangements were made for a total of 30 private nursing home beds to be contracted instead. This was prior to the commencement of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

The Executive, at the time of the closure of St Brigid's Ward, did indicate that it would examine the provision of a new 50 bed Community Nursing Unit (CNU) on the grounds of the hospital. Such a construction project would require capital funding and the HSE must prioritise all capital infrastructure projects nationally within its overall capital funding allocation. The Prospectus Report which was prepared for the HSE in 2008 assessed the provision of nursing home places across the country and the need for additional places to meet demographic change. The Report found that there were adequate places in Waterford at that time.

The current HSE capital plan covers the five year period 2011-2015. The Executive has published on its website details of the projects which it intends to deliver within this plan. No proposal to build a new CNU in St Patrick's is included in the plan. The Deputy will be aware that there is a commitment in the Programme for Government under Capital Developments in Health, to prioritise "step down and long-term facilities and community care facilities such as day centres for older people".

The Department is currently reviewing the provision of public residential care in the light of the need to meet national standards and regulations, local demographic pressures and public and private provision. The review will serve as a platform for discussion and will inform the development of an overall strategy on how the HSE should continue to provide this service in future in view of current budgetary and other pressures. The review must also be seen in the light of the wider health reform programme to which the Government is committed, and the position of social care services in a future health service.

The Deputy will appreciate that all developments have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and any decisions taken by the Executive must have regard to this and the current moratorium on the recruitment of nursing and non-nursing staff. Each HSE area, including the Local Health Office in Waterford has been asked to make a rigorous examination of how existing funding might be re-allocated to ensure maximum service provision. 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.

The Programme for Government provided for a Comprehensive Spending Review which is now well under way. This exercise includes a review of health care expenditure. The outcome of this review will determine the health care allocations for 2012 and future years.

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