Minister to consider South Eastern Trust recommendations

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said he will carefully consider all the recommendations made by the South Eastern Trust to deliver efficiency savings.

The Trust made a number of recommendations at its Board meeting in Bangor today including proposals around residential homes for the elderly, the Minor Injuries Unit at Ards Hospital, restructuring of inpatient mental health services and in-patient obstetric services at Lagan Valley.

Following the meeting, the Minister announced that maternity services will be retained at Lagan Valley Hospital by stating his intention to establish a community midwifery unit.

Michael McGimpsey said: “The South Eastern Trust Board has made a number of recommendations on how it plans to achieve the challenging 3% efficiency savings over the next three years. I am aware of the high level of public concern in relation to all Trusts proposals. I have always stated that, where there is no consensus, final decisions will be taken by me.

“I have announced today that maternity services will be retained at Lagan Valley and it is my intention to establish a community midwifery unit which will provide real choices and a range of quality maternity services for local women.”

Turning to other recommendations made by the Trust, including the future of residential homes in their area, the Minister said: “One issue which has caused considerable anxiety has been proposals to close statutory residential homes. Throughout the consultation period, I have made it clear that no residential homes will close unless there is suitable alternative provision, which is of the same or higher quality than that which is currently provided. I am encouraged by the Trust’s decision to change a number of its recommendations in light of the responses to its consultation. This clearly shows that the consultation process works and that the voices of the public are being listened to.

“It is only right that the future of services for older people should be discussed widely and I welcome the high profile that this area has now been given by everyone in Northern Ireland. It is essential that we all work together to provide high quality services for our elderly population. We must also recognise that the way these services are provided is changing for the better. We must listen to our older community and deliver on their wishes to live independently, either in their own homes, or in supported living in their local communities.

“The Trust proposals will now come to me for consideration and I will make my decisions quickly.”

Notes to Editors:

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