Residential homes closure plan is ‘scandalous’

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has branded proposals to close four residential care homes for older people scandalous. He said that the Health Minister should be focusing on providing free personal care for older people, instead of looking to close residential homes. The homes that the Western Trust proposes to close are in Londonderry, Strabane, Omagh and Lisnaskea.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “These plans are scandalous. The Minister should be looking to introduce free personal care for older people, instead of allowing Trusts to close services that are vital to them.

“If the Trust and the Minister get away with these type of cuts we will all suffer because they will think they can get away with cutting anything.

“These proposed cuts come as a result of 3% efficiency targets across government departments. Vital frontline services should not be cut. The 3% efficiencies should be made with the administrative side of the health sector.

“It is also scandalous that £1 billion is wasted in Northern Ireland annually on maintaining segregation. If the Stormont Executive ended division there would be no need to make cuts in the health sector.

“We will need more residential homes, not less because our population is living longer and longer. The Minister must recognise these realities and not simply allow quick fix cuts to essential services.”

ENDS

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