Staff reductionat care homesnot ruled out

The Sentinel asked the Trust if it intended reducing staff numbers and hours at residential homes in the Londonderry area.

The paper posed the question after being contacted by a concerned citizen who claimed hours and staff were to be cut at Western Trust residential homes and that temporary contracts would no longer be renewed in a bid to make the required savings.

The source claimed that the cost-saving measure would take effect from November 1.

A spokesperson for the Western Trust said: “Like all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, the Western Trust is facing a very challenging financial environment.

“The Trust reported a deficit at the end of august 2014 of £15.7m.

“The Trust is currently examining ways in which it can make the most efficient and best use of its resources for the most effective provision of patient and client care.”

The Trust spokesperson went on to explain that various cost-saving measures have been proposed in a bit to make the required savings.

“A number of additional financial measures have been proposed to help control expenditure.

“The Trust has been asked to develop additional contingencies by our Commissioner, the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) to ensure a break even position this year.

“We are working with the HSCB and the Department of Health on our proposals to ensure that the Trust breaks even by the end of this financial year 2014/15,” the spokesperson stated.

Back in June the Health and Social Care Board approved final criteria to be used by the Western Trust to assist decision making about the role and function of statutory residential care homes including Rectory Field, William Street, Thackeray Place and Greenfield.

The criteria are: Quality of Care; Availability and accessibility of alternative services; and Best use of public money.

Fionnuala McAndrew, Acting Chief Executive with the Board said: “It is important that Trusts provide the best possible level of care alongside the need to change and modernise their services, if this is required. In our report we have made proposals which have taken account of both of these issues.