Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for Health the community nursing homes he intends to close over the course of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1184/12]

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

As the Deputy is aware it is a matter for the Health Service Executive to deliver services both nationally and locally within its budget and overall health policy priorities in line with the overall resources available to it. The HSE is facing challenges in respect of all services in 2012, and in the case of Community Nursing Units these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of its units. In this context the Department and HSE are working together regarding the 2012 National Service Plan.

It is clear that on a business as usual basis, the HSE would have to close further beds across a range of public community nursing units in 2012. In the absence of reform, this would increase the cost of caring for older persons within the public system, undermine the viability of public community nursing units and reduce the overall number of older persons that can be supported within the budget available for Fair Deal. This is not a sustainable way forward and would not meet the needs of older persons, local communities, the taxpayer or those working in the public service.

Instead, we need a more pro-active approach to the provision of community nursing home units which seeks to protect the viability of as many units as possible within the funding and staffing resources available, including smaller units where challenges of scale may require more innovative approaches to service delivery. This is likely to require a combination of actions such as consolidation of services; changes in staffing, skill mix and work practices; the different types of services required – such as long-stay and transitional – and the respective strengths of public and private community nursing units in that regard; the public and private capacity available within an area; the age and structure of public units; the wider needs of the local community and alternative options for providing a viable community nursing service including a possible role for local communities or other voluntary providers. The HSE is already examining issues in this regard and will be working closely with the Department to develop an overall set of proposals for the Minister.

Finally I would like to reassure the Deputy that should there be concern for the future of any unit, the HSE will engage fully in a local consultation process with all stakeholders before any decision is taken.