Urgent action needed on respite care provision in Inishowen - Colr. warns

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Albert Doherty raised the matter of child and adult intellectual disability respite provision capacity with the health authority as he called for more resourcing at this week’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum.

Colr. Doherty, who will table a motion on the matter before Donegal County Council on Monday, asked how many clients were registered as being in need of respite services in Inishowen.

He also queried what the HSE deemed adequate availability for regular respite provision for these families.

Imploring the HSE to instigate urgent action and commit to providing increased resources and additional respite beds in Inishowen, the Carndonagh Councillor asked how many clients are currently availing of the single free bed at Riverwalk Respite House in the town, and what the frequency of rotation was.

Responding, regional HSE Chief Officer John Hayes said Riverwalk has remained operational throughout Covid-19 restrictions to provide ongoing emergency respite for a cohort of adults from the Inishowen area.

“This emergency arrangement has impacted on the Donegal Intellectual Disability Service’s ability to continue respite services in the manner previously delivered to the wider population of Inishowen,” he said, adding:

“Staff have identified a number of persons who are compatible with the people who are currently receiving emergency respite and those identified are availing of the one remaining bed in Riverwalk.”

Four weeks of additional respite care has been provided in Riverwalk in addition to the emergency respite to the aforementioned adults.

Mr Hayes said a determination of need process informs the respite provision for service users and families, and confirmed: “There are 46 service users in Inishowen registered as in need of respite services - 41 adults and five children.”

Meanwhile the Donegal Intellectual Disability Service has completed a prioritisation assessment using the National Framework for the Resumption of Respite Services. Those prioritised will be offered alternative respite centres in Co. Donegal if this is suitable, or a home support package to provide respite within their own homes, the HSE boss said.

He also said the situation has been raised at national level. “The need for residential placements for the adults in ongoing emergency respite care in Riverwalk Respite House and the need for additional respite beds in Co. Donegal have been highlighted by the service to national HSE and will be progressed by the service if the required funding allocation is received in its 2021 budget allocation,” Colr. Doherty was told.

Colr. Doherty will on Monday table a motion calling on Donegal County Council to urge Minister Stephen Donnelly, Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte and the HSE to “ensure the resumption and provision of increased and adequate respite beds and residential support for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities”.

His motion will also propose that “the pivotal and supportive role of carers who selflessly provide care for their family and relatives at home is acknowledged, and that the carers’ immediate needs for support, additional access for respite support and mental well being is met with increased government assistance.”