Over Half Of Residential Care Homes To Be Considered For Closure

A consultation process to close over half of NHS residential care homes in Northern Ireland has been approved.

The Health and Social Care Board announced that a 12 week consultation exercise on the proposals will take place over the summer, which will be undertaken by the five Health Trusts.

Of the 19 Residential Care Homes, the 10 homes identified for eventual closure are:

• Northfield House in Donaghadee

• William Street and Rectory Field in Derry

• Roxborough House in Moy

• Slieve Roe in Kilkeel

• Skeagh House in Dromore

• The Roddens in Ballymoney

• Pinewood in Ballymena

• Westlands in Cookstown

• Chestnut Grove or Pine Lodge in Belfast

Following the consultation, recommendations on these closures will go back to the HSCB for approval and then onto the health minister for final approval.

UNISON regional organiser, Joe McCusker said: "The decision by the HSCB will come as a relief to those residents and their families not affected by the closures. However, for those homes that are identified for closure this will cause distress and alarm for residents in those homes knowing that they will be the last residents, while the local communities will be outraged that there will be no NHS residential care provision in their area."

(CD)