Chamber hears impassioned plea for enhanced respite provisions

A COALISLAND councillor has issued an impassioned plea for enhanced respite care provision in the Mid Ulster area.

At the monthly meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, Nuala McLernon explained that her own sister – a single mother – is one such carer, as the parent of a young adult with complex needs.

In a motion presented to the council, the councillor highlighted the inadequacy of respite services within the Southern Trust area, particularly focusing on the situation at Woodlawn House in Dungannon. She recounted the distressing incident before last Christmas, when respite provision was abruptly cancelled, leaving families reliant on these services in turmoil.

The motion called for increased investment, forward planning, and the protection of respite services from sudden cancellations.

‘LIFELINE’

Introducing the motion, Cllr McLernon said, “The issue of the lack of respite provision for adults with learning difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour has been well-versed in the chamber by myself since elected.

“I know firsthand the importance of such services, and the fact that respite provision is not a luxury for unpaid carers, but a necessity. It’s a lifeline.

“My own nephew, at the age of three, was unfortunate to succumb to a virus called encephalitis, which left him with brain damage, frontal temporal lobe damage and severe epilepsy.

“Now as an adult, my nephew suffers from learning difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour.

“My sister, a single parent, each day delivers the best care she can give to her son, but as an unpaid career she needs help.

“Like many others, respite provision for adults with complex needs and challenging behaviour is the help they need.”

Referring to the situation at Woodlawn House over Christmas, the councillor said, “This was a big blow to those families who relied on this service. To be told at short notice that your respite had been cancelled was gut-wrenching.

“As I’ve said previously, this is not a criticism of Woodlawn House or their staff. In fact, I cannot praise them enough for their work and dedication to the service users.”

UNANIMOUS

Support for her motion was unanimous among council members, with many expressing their agreement and adding their voices to the call for action.

The slow response from the Southern Trust to concerns raised by the council members was criticized, with council chair, Dominic Molloy, expressing his alarm at the delayed reaction. The sentiment was echoed by others, indicating a sense of frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the pressing need for improved respite care services.

At the end of the discussion, Cllr McLernon said, “This is an emotive issue for unpaid carers in our communities, and for them seeing this motion passed here tonight unanimously will go to give them some reassurance that we have their back.”