AQW 27053/22-27


Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast


Tabled Date: 13/05/2025
Answered On Date: 29/05/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, given the complex nature of needs of individuals housed by the Cedar Foundation in The Mews and following the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Failure to Comply Notice issued on 17 April 2025, to detail what work social services and the learning disability units within (i) his Department; and (ii) the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, are taking to ensure residents needs, both medically and socially, are met.


Answer:
The Mews Supported Living Service is registered with and subject to regulation by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). It is the responsibility of RQIA to assure the quality of services provided by my Department, statutory and independent sector bodies.
It is RQIA’s responsibility to ensure that every aspect of care reaches the standards set by my Department and expected by the public.
RQIA issued two failure to comply notices and a notice of proposal in respect of new admissions to The Mews Supported Living Facility on 17th May 2025. RQIA have issued 17 required actions to comply with regulations which robustly outline required improvements to ensure that resident’s needs, both medically and socially, are met. RQIA are also leading a regional group comprising relevant HSC statutory sector stakeholders to ensure whole system oversight and information sharing in relation the Mews.
In addition, my Department has liaised with the BHSCT who have statutory responsibility to ensure the social and medical needs of residents are met. The BHSCT have reported that they have a contract in place with the Cedar Foundation and an associated care management process in place.
Since enforcement notices have been served to the Cedar Foundation in relation to the Mews Supported Living Facility, the BHSCT Learning Disability Team have engaged with RQIA and the Cedar Foundation. An action is now in plan in place to address concerns. This action plan includes a review of the needs of all Mews service users. An independent consultant has been engaged to assist with this work.