Nolan fears “ambiguous HSE response” regarding Birr CNU deepens concern beds will not return

THE HSE has confirmed to Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan that while the situation regarding the provision of respite beds at Birr Community Nursing Unit (CNU) is kept under constant review, a respite service will only be re-established in Birr CNU “dependent on clinical need”.

The HSE response came after Deputy Nolan raised the matter with Minister Eamon Ryan following Leaders Questions in the Dáil on Wednesday January31^st.

In its response to the Independent TD, the HSE claims it is providing respite as needed and have made arrangements for beds in two private nursing homes for respite “to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.”

It also says that the HSE is providing respite beds in both Shinrone and Banagher which means that one nursing home is nearer west Offaly and is convenient for those residing in West Offaly, the other towards the South of Birr, convenient for clients residing near the Tipperary border. It maintains that these beds are available for any requests from local families and clients and that “the HSE has assured the Minister that there is no diminution of service.”

“I am deeply alarmed at the equivocal and ambiguous nature of this reply with respect to the return of services at Birr CNU,” said Deputy Nolan.

“My reading of the HSE reply is that while it theoretically leaves the door open for Birr CNU to return, in reality the current arrangements are not going to be changed at any time in the near future, if at all.

“I know this will be a matter of great disappointment to all of those who have asked me to seek clarity on this matter,” she said.

“I am determined to pursue the issue further because the reality is we absolutely do have clear levels of clinical need within the constituency, which in itself should have been reason enough for the HSE to provide an unambiguous commitment to re-open Birr CNU to me today,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

The full HSE Reply to Deputy Nolan stated “I am writing in response to a commitment that was given to you by Minister Eamon Ryan during Leaders Questions on 31^st January 2024 to provide an update on the current situation regarding respite services in Birr Community Nursing Unit.

“At present, two respite beds that were provided in Birr CNU have been re-orientated to rehabilitation beds. Rehabilitation capacity in Birr Community Nursing Unit was extended to support early discharge from Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) and support patients to get the rehab service they need.

“This has seen an increase from two to six rehabilitation beds in the CNU to respond to the demand for rehabilitation beds to assist with hospital egress and to provide essential rehab services that are not available at in any other site in Laois/Offaly. Prior to this re-orientation of beds, there were two rehab beds in Laois/Offaly with the vast majority of patients being waitlisted for rehab services outside of Laois/Offaly, for example in Peamount, or receiving rehab services in an acute hospital setting.

“Rehabilitation services are time sensitive and clinical outcomes are improved if access to rehab is at an appropriate point in the patients’ recovery. The increase in rehab beds has supported the patients’ recovery and reduced the number of delayed discharges due to patients availing of rehab in acute services. Rehabilitation services cannot be provided by private nursing homes due to the complexity of clients and the MDT treatment required.

“The HSE is providing respite as needed and have made arrangements for beds in two private nursing homes for respite to ensure that no one is disadvantaged. The HSE is providing respite beds in both Shinrone and Banagher. One nursing home is nearer west Offaly and is convenient for those residing in West Offaly, the other towards the South of Birr, convenient for clients residing near the Tipperary border. These beds are available for any requests from local families and clients. The HSE has assured the Minister that there is no diminution of service.

“The HSE are constantly reviewing the allocation of short stay beds in Birr CNU to ensure that those with the greatest clinical need can avail of the beds. There are currently six rehab clients from Offaly who are receiving rehab. If the demand decreases, the purpose of the short-stay beds will be reviewed.

“The situation regarding the provision of respite beds is kept under constant review by the HSE, and dependent on clinical need, a respite service will be re-established in Birr CNU,” concluded the letter.