Board approves Trusts’ consultation proposals on future of Statutory Residential Care Homes
The Health and Social Care Board, at its monthly public meeting yesterday (Tuesday 19th May), approved for further consultation, the five Health and Social Care Trusts’ proposals on the future role and function of their Statutory Residential Care Homes for older people. The Board confirmed that the review of these homes is still an ongoing process and no final decisions have yet been made. The proposals approved today (see Notes to Editors) now mean appropriate local consultation will be progressed by Trusts. The proposals outline that some Trust Statutory Residential Care Homes will be retained, some will be considered for alternative use and others are proposed for closure.
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Ardview House Residential Home in Ardglass is not on the list for recommended closures in County Down.[/caption]
The Board assured current permanent residents that the proposals approved today will not affect them as the Board is firmly committed to the former Minister, Edwin Poots’ MLA, requirement that they would be able to remain in their existing home for as long as they wish, and as long as their care needs can continue to be met there. In May 2013, Minister Poots, asked for a review of proposals to reduce the number of statutory residential care homes and report on how services could be reformed.
Between November 2013 and March 2014, the Health and Social Care Board conducted a public consultation on the criteria which would be used to assess future accommodation needs for older people and the role and function of statutory residential homes to meet those needs. Subsequently, local assessments of the need for services for older people were carried out by Local Commissioning Groups (LCGs) to provide context for any changes. Trusts used the agreed criteria and the local assessments to evaluate each of the homes in their area and to develop proposals for consideration by LCGs and the Board.
Whilst current permanent residents in the Homes are not affected by these proposals, the Health and Social Care Board has a responsibility to plan for the future and therefore the Board met to consider and subsequently approve the Trusts’ proposals.
MP opposes threatened closure of Slieve Roe in Kilkeel
SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie has reacted angrily to news that Slieve Roe residential care home in Kilkeel is under threat of closure once again.
Ms Ritchie said: “I am very dismayed to learn that the future of Slieve Roe has again been placed in jeopardy with the Health and Social Care Board’s instruction to the Southern Health Trust to find alternative accommodation for residents. I am concerned about the impact that this guidance will have on staff, residents and their families and friends due to this further uncertainty.
“Over the years I, along with my Party colleagues, have lobbied the health authorities to keep this facility open, and the support of the community has been overwhelming. Slieve Roe provides a much-needed and beneficial service for the community and I will again actively engage with the health bodies to campaign for its retention.
“Slieve Roe benefits from a unique position as it is complemented by other health facilities close at hand. It must be allowed to remain open and this is the message that I will be relaying to the Minister for Health.”
And party colleague Séan Rogers MLA also condemned the HSCB decision and added: “Residents at Slieve Roe had previously been assured that their home was secure. The news today for these elderly residents is very disturbing and unsettling leaving them very distressed. It is simply not good enough to evict these elderly people from their homes in such a cold and thoughtless way.” The SDLP member has sought an urgent meeting with the Minister seeking his intervention to offer immediate support and reassurance to residents and staff at this distressing time.
Speaking after the HCSB meeting Fionnuala McAndrew, Director of Social Care and Children with the Health and Social Care Board said: “Over the past two years, the Health and Social Care Board has co-ordinated a process to clarify the future role and function of statutory residential care as part of a broad range of services for older people across Northern Ireland. I acknowledge that this has been a difficult time for residents, their relatives, carers and staff and the wider communities supporting statutory residential homes for older people.
“I have listened carefully to the views of all those who have taken the time to contribute to this process of engagement. I want to thank everyone who contributed and, in particular, the residents, their relatives and staff of the residential homes that I visited over the last year.”
Mrs McAndrew added: “I am confident that the recommendations set out in the Trusts’ proposals will help us achieve a balance between continuing to care for the current residents of statutory homes appropriately, as well as progressing plans for addressing the future needs and preferences of our population of Northern Ireland.”
“There will always be a need for some level of residential care but the changing trends and desires of people must be taken into account too as we plan for the future. It is important that Trusts provide the best possible level of care alongside the need to change and modernise their services.”
With reference to the issue of non-admissions to some homes, it was agreed in June 2014 by the Board, that the position regarding permanent admissions be maintained until Trusts’ proposals for change were agreed. There will be no immediate change to current admissions positions therefore until after local Trusts’ consultations have taken place. (see Notes to Editors)
A copy of the Board’s report, Trusts’ proposals and LCGs assessments can be viewed or downloaded from the Health and Social Care Board’s website from 12 noon on 20 May 2015 at:
http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/board/meetings/May%202015
For more information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions can also be viewed from 12 noon on 20 May 2015 at:
http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/board/meetings/May%202015
These proposals do not affect Nursing Homes or Independent Sector Residential Care Homes.
During the summer/early autumn 2014 Trusts commenced the application of the evaluation criteria to the relevant homes. Throughout this process the Regional Planning Group provided advice and guidance as required to ensure regional consistency in terms of the approach to this task.
The key steps included:
* Following completion of the application of the criteria, and within the context of the local needs assessment, Trusts developed proposals for change. * These proposals were then reviewed and approved by individual Trusts’ Senior Management Teams and Trust Boards. * Trusts’ proposals for change were submitted to Local Commissioning Groups (LCGs) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) for challenge and review. * LCGs provided a view on Trusts’ proposals to the HSCB. * HSCB undertook consistency checking and quality assurance review of Trusts’ application of criteria and challenged Trusts’ analysis where it was deemed necessary. * HSCB Senior Management Team and Board considered, challenged and approved Trusts’ proposals.
As of week commencing 4 May 2015, there are 182 current permanent residents in Statutory Residential Care Homes in Northern Ireland.
Next Steps and Timeline
Trusts will be required to consult locally on any proposed change to the use of a facility. This means that local consultation will be required in the circumstances of a proposal for an alternative use of the facility or for closure. (Stage Two of the consultation process)
Where a Trust proposes to close a care home, it will be expected to comply with the best practice guide – The Reconfiguration of Statutory Residential Homes (Nov 2013).
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