At today’s meeting of the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), the Board approved proposals to initiate a consultation exercise to close over half of NHS Residential Care Homes in Northern Ireland. Of the 19 Residential Care Homes in Northern Ireland, the 10 homes identified for eventual closure are:
- Northfield House in Donaghadee
- William Street and Rectory Field in Derry
- Roxborough House in Moy
- Slieve Roe in Kilkeel
- Skeagh House in Dromore
- The Roddens in Ballymoney
- Pinewood in Ballymena
- Westlands in Cookstown
- Chestnut Grove or Pine Lodge in Belfast
The HSCB announced that a 12 week consultation exercise on the proposals will take place over the summer months, which will be undertaken by the five Health Trusts. Following the consultation, recommendations on these closures will go back to the HSCB for approval and then onto the health minister for final approval.
The proposal to close half of the Homes in Northern Ireland mirrors the recommendation for a 50% reduction in NHS residential care homes set out in the HSCB’s Transforming Your Care (TYC) document of 2013.
Commenting on the proposals on the homes’ closures, UNISON regional organiser, Joe McCusker said: “Today’s decision by the HSCB will come as a relief to those residents and their families not affected by the closures. However, for those homes that are identified for closure this will cause distress and alarm for residents in those homes knowing that they will be the last residents, while the local communities will be outraged that there will be no NHS residential care provision in their area.”
Mr McCusker added, “If these proposals get approval from the health minister, this means that in major towns and cities across Northern Ireland such as Derry and Ballymena, there will be no NHS residential care provision and no choice for people to avail of statutory residential care. UNISON has been at the forefront of the campaign against the closure of NHS residential care homes and we will continue our fight in partnership with local communities, residents and families to keep the homes open.”
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT MR JOE McCUSKER, REGIONAL ORGANISER ON MOBILE, 07775 856286, UNISON REGIONAL OFFICE ON 02890 270190 or email:- jmccusker@unison.co.uk
