HSE plan to ‘reconfigure’ the Lisdarn Unit

The HSE has confirmed its plans to reconfigure the Lisdarn Unit for transitional care for patients discharged from acute hospitals.

Almost a dozen respite beds are to be moved from the Lisdarn Unit and an additional €72,000 is being allocated for the outsourcing of 10 respite beds for a six week period. The decision has been made to alleviate bed occupancy pressures at Cavan General Hospital and will see 14 ”step-down” beds made available at the unit. The HSE moved to address concerns by saying: “The beds will be utilised for people currently occupying beds in the acute hospital, who no longer require acute medical care and who have a clear discharge pathway. The funding meanwhile will allow for the purchase of beds in private nursing homes in Cavan and Monaghan to accommodate short term respite care.”
A response from the HSE to The Anglo-Celt said that respite services for the Cavan and West Cavan areas will be provided in the Virginia Care Centre and in the John Sullivan Centre in Cavan Town for people with a diagnosis of dementia who require a service.
“Respite services will resume in the Breffni Care Centre in Ballyconnell once building refurbishment works and extension are completed,” read their response.
In a briefing by the HSE for local public representatives at the end of last month, concerns over the provision of respite services in Cavan Town, Belturbet and Ballyconnell were raised following the decision to discontinue such services at the Lisdarn Unit.
“The HSE undertook to revert to me in relation to the development of respite services for the Cavan Town and West of Cavan Town area of the County,” Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) said. He added that among the “many other issues” discussed at that meeting were primary care, home care supports, mental health services, disability services, delays in assessment of need for children and the health capital programme for Cavan/Monaghan.
“This meeting enabled us to outline again in detail the many health issues of concern to constituents,” said Deputy Smith.