Menu
27/03/2009
Care Homes Saved, But Hospital Jobs In Jeopardy
While relatives of pensioners in two Co Down residential homes have told of their relief after the facilities were granted an 11th hour reprieve, hospital workers in another part of Northern Ireland may be facing the dole.
It has emerged that up to 200 jobs could be lost in Armagh with the closure of wards at three hospitals.
The proposal has been given the go-ahead by the Southern Health Trust, although the final decision now rests with NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
The plans recently unveiled by the Trust include the downscaling of St Luke's and Longstone hospitals as well as a reduction in services offered at Mullinure.
They are part of cost-cutting measures being proposed as part of the overall Review of Public Administration.
Today, the Armagh workers will be hoping for a similar 'U-turn' to that just announced for Skeagh House in Dromore, which was one of two care homes earmarked for closure as part of a shake-up of services by the Southern Health and Social Services Trust.
However, the trust was forced into a dramatic change of heart after residents, their families and political representatives launched a massive campaign of opposition. Skeagh House and Slieve Roe home in Kilkeel are now to be upgraded instead.
In a statement issued last night the Trust said: "The trust has considered the strong representations from respondents opposing our original proposal to close two of the five homes in the area, specifically the view that this would significantly impact on accessibility to residential care for local communities.
"The trust is therefore proposing an alternative service model which will retain all the current statutory residential homes in the area. Our initial proposal was to close Skeagh House in Dromore and Slieve Roe in Kilkeel.
"This would enable both homes to remain open and all residents to continue to receive their care as normal.
"During the consultation process we have secured additional funding for dementia services and have obtained agreement with our commissioner that some of this funding can be used for respite in our residential homes.
"Our revised proposal will therefore see the development of each home as local centres for care of older people to include the introduction of new respite services for people with dementia," the statement said.
However, the families of those affected by the proposals said their lives had been put under an intolerable strain during the past 18 weeks and a senior executive last night apologised for "anxiety" caused by aborted plans to close two Co Down residential homes.
Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, said that proposals to close Skeagh House in Dromore and Slieve Roe in Kilkeel would not now go ahead, after protracted representations from campaigners.
But while supporters of the two homes celebrated, many more facilities across the Province face an uncertain future, with the potential loss of the 200 jobs lost in Armagh with the closure of wards at three hospitals.
(BMcC/JM)
It has emerged that up to 200 jobs could be lost in Armagh with the closure of wards at three hospitals.
The proposal has been given the go-ahead by the Southern Health Trust, although the final decision now rests with NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
The plans recently unveiled by the Trust include the downscaling of St Luke's and Longstone hospitals as well as a reduction in services offered at Mullinure.
They are part of cost-cutting measures being proposed as part of the overall Review of Public Administration.
Today, the Armagh workers will be hoping for a similar 'U-turn' to that just announced for Skeagh House in Dromore, which was one of two care homes earmarked for closure as part of a shake-up of services by the Southern Health and Social Services Trust.
However, the trust was forced into a dramatic change of heart after residents, their families and political representatives launched a massive campaign of opposition. Skeagh House and Slieve Roe home in Kilkeel are now to be upgraded instead.
In a statement issued last night the Trust said: "The trust has considered the strong representations from respondents opposing our original proposal to close two of the five homes in the area, specifically the view that this would significantly impact on accessibility to residential care for local communities.
"The trust is therefore proposing an alternative service model which will retain all the current statutory residential homes in the area. Our initial proposal was to close Skeagh House in Dromore and Slieve Roe in Kilkeel.
"This would enable both homes to remain open and all residents to continue to receive their care as normal.
"During the consultation process we have secured additional funding for dementia services and have obtained agreement with our commissioner that some of this funding can be used for respite in our residential homes.
"Our revised proposal will therefore see the development of each home as local centres for care of older people to include the introduction of new respite services for people with dementia," the statement said.
However, the families of those affected by the proposals said their lives had been put under an intolerable strain during the past 18 weeks and a senior executive last night apologised for "anxiety" caused by aborted plans to close two Co Down residential homes.
Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, said that proposals to close Skeagh House in Dromore and Slieve Roe in Kilkeel would not now go ahead, after protracted representations from campaigners.
But while supporters of the two homes celebrated, many more facilities across the Province face an uncertain future, with the potential loss of the 200 jobs lost in Armagh with the closure of wards at three hospitals.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
24 April 2013
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
26 April 2013
Southern Trust To Close Five Residential Care Homes
SDLP Health Spokesperson Conall McDevitt MLA has said that today's announcement that the Southern Trust are set to close five residential care homes further fuels the SDLP’s long held suspicion that the Health Minister is intent on destroying the ethos of the NHS by replacing it with stealth privatisation.
Southern Trust To Close Five Residential Care Homes
SDLP Health Spokesperson Conall McDevitt MLA has said that today's announcement that the Southern Trust are set to close five residential care homes further fuels the SDLP’s long held suspicion that the Health Minister is intent on destroying the ethos of the NHS by replacing it with stealth privatisation.
17 May 2018
Hundreds Of New Homes To Be Developed In Co Down
Approximately 50 construction jobs are to be created as part of a £50million project to develop 900 new homes in Comber, Co Down. Northern Ireland homebuilders Hagan Homes has started construction work on the first phase of the 'Enler Village' site on the Newtownards Road, which includes the development of 17 new homes.
Hundreds Of New Homes To Be Developed In Co Down
Approximately 50 construction jobs are to be created as part of a £50million project to develop 900 new homes in Comber, Co Down. Northern Ireland homebuilders Hagan Homes has started construction work on the first phase of the 'Enler Village' site on the Newtownards Road, which includes the development of 17 new homes.
20 May 2015
Over Half Of Residential Care Homes To Be Considered For Closure
A consultation process to close over half of NHS residential care homes in Northern Ireland has been approved. The Health and Social Care Board announced that a 12 week consultation exercise on the proposals will take place over the summer, which will be undertaken by the five Health Trusts.
Over Half Of Residential Care Homes To Be Considered For Closure
A consultation process to close over half of NHS residential care homes in Northern Ireland has been approved. The Health and Social Care Board announced that a 12 week consultation exercise on the proposals will take place over the summer, which will be undertaken by the five Health Trusts.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
