Dean Maxwell nursing unit
Michael Lowry objected to HSE plans to transfer elderly care beds from the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit in north Tipperary to Nenagh and asked if the Government intended to downgrade it. The Taoiseach said downgrading was not the intention and that a Minister of State would meet HSE and Department officials.
The Taoiseach is aware the HSE has a plan in place to dramatically alter the distribution of elderly care long-stay beds in north Tipperary. The existing 25 beds in the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit will be transferred to Nenagh in order to justify a bigger unit. The HSE has consistently ignored all representations to correct this absurd and unacceptable situation. It is obviously running the show and is dictating policy. The Ministers with responsibility appear to have no say or zero influence with the HSE. Is it the policy of the Government to downgrade the Dean Maxwell unit? Will the Taoiseach please tell the people of Roscrea he is not going to stand back and allow the HSE to close the long-stay unit? On behalf of the people of Roscrea, I am asking him to insist on the HSE investing in a modern facility offering a broad range of services, one which caters for the needs of older people and incorporates a bed complement for residential care for the people of the town. I also ask that the day centre be reopened. It has not opened since Covid, which is causing considerable disruption for people and anger.
Comment on this
I appreciate the Deputy's interest in this issue. It is not the intention of the Government to downgrade the Dean Maxwell unit. There have been various proposals brought forward, as the Deputy knows. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will meet senior HSE staff and Department of Health officials tomorrow to discuss these issues. I ask that she come back to the Deputy and other Oireachtas Members from the county following this meeting.