Mixed messages about the future of residential care homes are causing “unnecessary stress” to elderly residents and their families, a Derry MLA has said.
MLA Maeve McLaughlin
Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin said “well-being of our elderly citizens must be at the centre of any decisions made regarding the future of care homes.”
The Sinn Fein representative, a member of the Assembly’s Health Committee, added: “There have been reassurances from the Health Department and the Health Trusts that there would be clear consultation on Transforming Your Care but clearly these mixed signals are causing confusion.”
She added: “We are talking about people here and there is too much unnecessary claims and counter-claims which is clearly causing distress to elderly residents in the care homes and their families.”
Ms McLaughlin, a member of the Assembly’s Health Committee, continued: “Transforming Your Care is about improving how our elderly citizens are cared for.”
She concluded: “The Health Minister and any Health Trusts should immediately come out and reassure people the care of the elderly will be approached with sensitivity and openness.”
