AQW 1151/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 08/06/2022
Answered On Date: 07/07/2022
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of day centre provision for (a) older people; (b) people with mental health issues; and (c) people with physical disabilities; and (ii) to detail the steps he is taking to increase this provision.
Answer:
In February 2022, I wrote to the HSC Trusts in regard to my decision to approve the Public Health Agency (PHA) Pathway to remobilise adult day-care, short breaks and transport services. I was clear that the Pathway should be implemented with immediate effect across all programmes of care including these services for older people, those with physical and sensory disabilities, and those with ill mental health. Since May 2022, my department has been receiving updated rebuild plans on a fortnightly basis from each HSC Trust which outline the current position across each adult programme of care and which provides indicative timeframes for the full remobilisation of day centre provision to pre-pandemic capacity. To date HSC trusts are continuing to build upon their day centre activity on a phased basis across all the programmes of care with progression to pre-Covid-19 activity. However, there remains a cohort of service users still not receiving adult day care and this will continue to be an area of focus. It should be noted that for a percentage of service users, their assessed needs have changed from pre-pandemic levels which has resulted in the need for differing care requirements. Also, a percentage of service users and carers have chosen not to return to day care for a variety of reasons. Trusts continue to engage with those service users who have currently chosen not to uptake their day care entitlement to ensure their needs continue to be met through alternative service pathways whilst advising that the option of day care remains available to them. Current barriers to full remobilisation of adult day centres include staffing availability, reduced estate, service user / carer choice to reduce /not return at present due to their CEV status, challenges with aspects of the guidance in regard to social distancing, isolation requirements, testing and vaccination. Some facilities have experienced Covid-19 outbreaks. While it is clear that the Pathway has been an enabler to remobilise services, there remains further adjustments to public health guidance required before services can be fully restored to pre-pandemic levels. I have therefore asked PHA for an urgent formal review of the pathway which is due to be completed by the end June 2022. Furthermore, I have committed to issuing a periodic communication to all MLAs to outline progress made by the Trusts. It is regrettable that day centre provision has not yet been fully restored to pre-pandemic capacity. I sincerely apologise to those affected service users and their families and wish to offer the assurance that the full remobilisation of day care remains one of my key priorities.
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