Health Minister Simon Hamilton has instructed the Health and Social Care Board to halt and review the proposed closures of Statutory Residential Care Homes.
The move comes after Four Season Health Care announced this afternoon that it is planning on closing seven of its private care homes across the North.
The largest of the care homes which have been marked for closure is Garvagh Care home which cares for 52 residents and has 80 members of staff.
In a statement released today, a spokesperson for Four Season Health Care described their decision as a ‘difficult but unavoidable’ one, based on a combination of factors including operating costs and a shortage of nurses.
Health Minister Simon Hamilton (pictured) has now ordered the health board to review the proposed closures.
He said: “Given that many of the proposals are predicated on spare local capacity in the Independent sector, it is only right and proper to pause, reflect and give careful consideration to issues arising in the Independent sector.
The Minister has also assured residents that they are the priority in any future transitions: “The Board is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, Health and Social Care Trusts, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and Four Seasons Health Care to ensure that there is regional and local coordination in managing this process.
“The continued well-being of residents will be the priority in dealing with any future transition to alternative care arrangements. The intention is to ensure that any relocation will be managed with minimal disruption to them, that they are able to remain as close to the original location as possible and that there will be no additional financial implications created by the move. All of the parties involved are committed to ensuring that there is clear, regular communication with residents and their representatives to address any concerns which may arise.”
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