AQW 3739/10

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 11/01/2010
Answered On Date: 26/01/2010
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the consultation process undertaken prior to the decision to merge the Knockbracken Clinic male and Innisfree Wards.

Answer:

Proposed changes and mergers on the Knockbracken site were included in the Belfast Trust's consultation ‘Excellence and Choice’ Documents. The merger of Knockbracken Clinic Male (KCM) and Innishfree wards is part of the Trust's resettlement strategy. Patients, their Carers and staff were consulted on the merger and support has been continually provided by User and Carer Advocates throughout the process. All appropriate community based placements identified were considered by patients, carers and advocates. Initial visits and trial periods of stay were arranged prior to confirmation of these placements.

The Trust has agreed to consider further the provision of a female-only ward if acute provision can be reconfigured to accommodate this suggestion. In this regard the Trust has had further representation from interested parties.