AQW 16633/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 11/10/2024
Answered On Date: 25/10/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether Rainbow Lodge is currently offering short stay or respite provision.

Answer:

The Northern HSC Trust took over the running of Rainbow Lodge from Praxis Care on 1st April 2024. The facility is now called Eden View.

Eden View, is a specialist residential unit in Ballymena for children (aged 5-18 years) with a severe learning disability and severely challenging behaviour providing both short break and long-term residential places.

Eden View has 3 full time care residential beds and 3 Short Break beds. The Short Break Beds capacity is dependent on the staff ratio required for each child.

Prior to 1st April 2024, the RQIA had imposed a condition that the Short Break Service within Eden View should be closed, due to very critical staffing shortages and this remains in place.

The Northern HSC Trust remain in communication with the RQIA with regard to the lifting of this condition in respect of Short Breaks.

The Trust is engaged in rolling recruitment, and the staffing situation within Eden View is reviewed daily.

The Northern HSC Trust recognises the significant impact that the closure of a Short Break service within Eden View is having for families, and remains committed to resuming the Short Break Service within Eden View as soon as safe staffing levels are achieved.