The Oakbridge Nursing Home in Ballynahinch, a privately owned home, is to closing its doors and it has prompted an angry reaction from local politicians. 74 staff and 58 residents will be affected by this closure decision.
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Threatened with closure: the Oakbridge Residential Home in Ballynahinch.[/caption]
Health Minister Simon Hamilton has now instructed the Health and Social Care Board to halt and review the proposed closures of Statutory Residential Care Homes.
The seven homes closing will shut their doors next February after having liaised with families to find suitable placements for their elderly relatives. Many elderly patients will find it difficult moving from what they may now see as their
Speaking today, Health Minister Simon Hamilton said: “Trusts have been engaging in consultations on statutory residential care homes in their areas, with three already complete and two still outstanding. When concluded, proposals will be forwarded to the Board for consideration before they come to me for a final decision. None of them have to date made it as far as the Department.
“I have become increasingly concerned about a range of pressures facing the independent sector and particular problems facing one of the largest independent providers of residential care in Northern Ireland.
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Health Minister Simon Hamilton.[/caption]
“I have been keeping developments under constant review and as a consequence of these growing concerns and confirmation today that Four Seasons Health Care will close seven homes across Northern Ireland, I am asking the Health and Social Care Board to halt and review the proposed closures of Statutory Residential Care Homes.
“Given that many of the proposals are predicated on spare local capacity in the Independent sector, it is only right and proper to pause, reflect and give careful consideration to issues arising in the Independent sector.
The Minister has also assured residents that they are the priority in any future transitions: “The Board is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, Health and Social Care Trusts, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and Four Seasons Health Care to ensure that there is regional and local coordination in managing this process.
“The continued well-being of residents will be the priority in dealing with any future transition to alternative care arrangements. The intention is to ensure that any relocation will be managed with minimal disruption to them, that they are able to remain as close to the original location as possible and that there will be no additional financial implications created by the move. All of the parties involved are committed to ensuring that there is clear, regular communication with residents and their representatives to address any concerns which may arise.”
Rogers and Murnin Concerned At Possible Closure Of Oakbridge Nursing Home In Ballynahinch
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Séan Rogers MLA.[/caption]
South Down MLA Seán Rogers (SDLP) has expressed disappointment at the pending closure of the Four Seasons nursing homes and has called on the Health Minister to intervene.
Mr Rogers has expressed his disappointment that Four Seasons Health Care have announced the closure of seven nursing homes across the North of Ireland, and specifically the Oakridge Care Nursing Home in Ballynahinch. He said: “This is very disappointing news. Elderly care in the North is already stretched thin so closing any homes should be unacceptable at this time. What we need immediately is more funding for elderly care.
“Many local nursing home providers are doing their utmost to deliver first class care on what has become a shoe-string budget from the Trust. People are living longer so surely government should be doing more to assist the Independent Health Care Providers. This means more funding for individual nursing homes, more money from the Trust and in this case a direct intervention from the Health Minister to save these homes from closure.
“The principal reason given to me for these closures were due to a lack of nurses and budget deficits. This highlights the chronic nursing shortage in the North which is seriously damaging elderly care provision across the country. The Minister for Health needs to do more to tackle this shortage immediately.”
Mr Rogers added: “In the same week that welfare spending has been handed over to the Conservative Government in Britain by Sinn Fein and the DUP, the need for Stormont to control its own welfare budget is now more important than ever. I fear that unless something is done now by the Health Minister, elderly care is only going to continue to deteriorate. I would call on the Minister to immediately act on this situation and I will be writing to him asking him to do so.
Ballynahinch Councillor Mark Murnin (SDLP) said: “I am deeply disappointed to learn of the closure of Oakridge next February. I am in Ballynahinch each and every day and have witnessed first hand the contribution the home makes to the local economy and community.
“The residents and staff are in my thoughts as today has brought devastating news for both.”
Shannon Seeks Urgent Meetings With Trust, Health Board and Minister
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Strangford MP Jim Shannon[/caption]
Strangford MP Jim Shannon (DUP) has expressed his shock and concern at the closure of the Four Seasons residential care homes across the province with one to be closed in Ballynahinch.
He said: “I understand that the closure of the care homes is due to a lack of funds from the Health and Social Care Trusts and will be requesting urgent meetings with both the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Four Seasons Health Care and the Health Minister Simon Hamilton.
“I can only imagine the stress this announcement has put on the residents and their families and want to assure them of my support at this time. If any of the residents or their families require any assistance, I’d urge them to get in contact and we can hopefully help them at this stressful time.”
Walker Says Residents And Staff Are Stunned After Receiving Closure Letters
Rowallene area Councillor Billy Walker (DUP) said he was upset at Ballynahinch receiving the bad news of the closure just before Christmas. He added: “The residents are just not getting enough of a top up from the South Eastern HSC Trust and their futures in Oakbridge nursing home are now very bleak.
“Strangford MP Jim Shannon and myself will be meeting with Health Minister Simon Hamilton soon to see what we can do to reverse this awful decision. The residents are not getting enough from the Trust to keep them in the home.
“Some of the extra £54 million to the health service should go towards supporting our elderly residents in care homes. These residents are being treated as second class citizens after having served our society all their lives. It just isn’t fair to treat the 58 residents in this way.
“It will also be a terrible blow to Ballynahinch, a town struggling to get on its feet. It will spin off into the local economy and affect the many small businesses.
“The Four Seasons Health Care is one of Northern Ireland’s leading care organisations for the elderly and it does not auger well considering that the population is actually living longer.”
Craig Says Oakbridge Closure Would Be Major Blow To Ballynahinch
Councillor Garth Craig said (DUP) said: “The proposed closure of Oakridge Nursing Home in Ballynahinch would be a major blow not only to residents but also to the staff employed there.
“I take part in a church service held each month in Oakridge and have got to know several of the residents and staff and know that if this planned closure takes place it would be devastating in terms of disruption both to residents, their families and staff.
“I will be urging the Health Minister Simon Hamilton to review care facilities for the elderly and the services that the private sector can provide.”
Andrews Calls On Action Over Oakbridge Closure Proposal
Councillor Terry Andrews (SDLP) said: “This home has 58 residents, many of whom have called Oakridge their home for a long time and I am sure some who have moved there in recent times were looking forward to the same stable, loving, caring environment to spend respite time and the remainder of their lives in care. I dread to think what this news means to each and everyone who resides there, and the families and friends as to what is going to happen next. Where are we going now being faced with the fear and anxiety that will now take over.
“I am appealing to each and everyone of you to use what ever influence that you can exert to keep this home open as long as possible, until a new management team can take over the running of this home and give the residents something that they deserve… dignity and peace of mind.
“My heart goes out to the 74 members of staff also, many come from the Ballynahinch area, an area scarce of employers and businesses that could re-employ them. I appeal strongly that their circumstances should be taken on board also and measures put in place to secure their jobs. Many staff have families, mortgages and commitments based on this employment.
“Action is needed on both fronts and I again appeal that a two-pronged approach should be adopted:
“Firstly, securing the long term future of Oakridge, for its residents and staff alike. And secondly, on new management / owners sought for the home and jobs to be provided in what is a blackspot for this part of the county.”
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