Health Minister assures elderly people over residential home proposals

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today said that suggestions that elderly people would be evicted from residential homes was scaremongering of the worst kind.

Speaking during an Assembly debate on Trust proposals to close a number of residential homes, the Minister moved to assure the public that final decisions on contentious proposals would be for him to take.

He said: “It is right that people are concerned about the damaging impact efficiency savings could have on our health service. My department has to find some £700million over the three year Comprehensive Spending Review period. This enormous sum of money, which is the largest of any department, must be found within a budget that is already stretched to its limit.

“I am aware that some of the Trust proposals have caused concern, particularly the issue of potentially closing some residential nursing homes. It is very disappointing therefore that some political representatives have used this issue as a political point scoring exercise and created further anxiety about this subject.

“I want to give a commitment to the public, to residents, their families and staff. Trust proposals are not a done deal and no decisions have been made. When the consultation processes have finished, I will look in detail at all the proposals and will give careful consideration to the views that have been expressed. As Minister, I will listen to your views and want to stress that no-one will be thrown out on the street. If there is to be any change, that change will be managed carefully and sensitively and viable alternatives must be in place to provide an equivalent or better standard of care.”

Over the next 50 years the number of people over 65 will more than double from around 250,000 to 500,000. The Minister said it was vital that the health and social care service must be equipped and ready to deal with the enormous demands of caring for this vulnerable group of people.

He continued: “We already spend around £630million supporting our older people. However, if we are to continue to meet the needs of our growing elderly population, we need to ensure that we are using these resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.

“I want to stress my commitment to looking after our most vulnerable members of society. Our elderly population have the same rights to health and social care services as everyone else. I will continue to improve and invest in services for the elderly to ensure that they have access to the very best our health service can provide.”

Notes to Editors

• The Minister’s speech is available to download
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