Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, is hugely disappointed at the announcement that the Northern Health & Social Care Board has recommended a phased closure of Westlands Care Home, Cookstown, and has said that the proposals threaten the vulnerable people who reside at Westlands.

Mrs Overend, who is the Assembly Private Secretary for the Minister for Regional Development, said,

“I was hugely disappointed to learn today that the Northern Health & Social Care Board has recommended a phased closure of Westlands Care Home, Cookstown. In the past, threats to close Westlands were met by a pledge from the then Minister for Health, Edwin Poots, to ensure that no one in the home would be forced to move out against their will. There was also a commitment by the Department, the Social Care Board and the Trust to ensure that any Care Home closures would be done compassionately.

“Despite the platitudes the Minister gave to residents when visiting them in Westlands at that time I warned that the Minister’s commitment was akin to closing Westlands by stealth, as he stated that no more permanent residents would be permitted to move there.  Today’s announcement is an inevitable and unfortunate development of that policy, and the closure of Westlands now seems imminent. I am writing to the Health Minister to request a meeting with him, so that he can answer many questions that are now being raised.”

Mrs Overend continued,

“The danger for Westlands is now that, as the number of residents inevitably declines, there will come a point when only a handful of patients will remain there.  The Minister must be able to tell the residents exactly what will happen as the number of residents reduces.  I really feel for those who are now in a very vulnerable position and will undoubtedly feel pressure as the numbers reduce.  This policy shows the Department’s lack of respect for those residents, their families, and the staff and carers at Westlands, all of whom will be hugely affected by their decision.

“Westlands provides a key role in caring for older and more vulnerable people in Mid-Ulster; its staff are regularly and rightly praised for the outstanding work that they do; and, importantly, those who remain at Westlands call it home.

“I would encourage everyone in Mid-Ulster to respond to the consultation which will be launched by the Northern Health & Social Care Trust.  However, given the consistent moves by the Board, the Trust and the Minister to close Westlands, it is difficult to have faith in the process, and is difficult to envisage any change in policy coming from the consultation. I will press the new Health Minister on the urgent need to get to grips with this issue, and treat the people of Westlands and Mid-Ulster with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”