Trust apologises to families after respite care cancelled

A SENIOR official with the Southern Health Trust has apologised after families of adults with complex needs in the Dungannon area had their respite provision cancelled at short notice over the festive period.

Woodlawn House in Dungannon, which typically provides short breaks of around a week for adults with a learning disability, cancelled its respite provision just before Christmas, leaving many local families scrambling to make other arrangements.

At the time, the Southern Trust, which operates the eight-bed facility, said resources had to be taken away and redirected towards ‘intensive individual support’.

But, addressing the latest monthly meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, the Trust’s Director of Adult Community Services, Brian Beattie said they were “sorry” for what had happened in respect of Woodlawn.

Mr Beattie said, “The change that was made around that Christmas time… we did not make that decision lightly.

“We acknowledge that there was an impact on carers who are under stress normally.

“They were caused more stress and we’re not content about that. That’s not something that we plan to do on any intentional basis.

“But even when we have plans in place in relation to contingencies and trying to make our services more robust, there can be occasions, due to unforeseen circumstances, when we have to take very difficult decisions to deal with an emerging need which is seen as a critical priority.

“As quickly as we could we redressed and returned the service back into action.

“Again we’re sorry that the this impacted on the arrangements of others, especially around that period of the holiday time.

“There is learning for us in this, and hopefully we will be able to do something to make these services more robust so that we wouldn’t be in that position again.”

SECOND TIME

Torrent Cllr Nuala McLernon told the meeting this was the second time it had happened.

She said, “The last time this happened was back when we were coming out of Covid, and families with adults with complex needs were looking forward to respite at a time more than ever when it was needed, but it was denied.

“This is not a criticism of Woodlawn House or their staff. In fact, I can’t praise them enough for their work and dedication to the service users of Woodlawn House.”

The Southern Health Trust issued the following statement, when contacted in relation to Woodlawn House.

A spokesperson stated, “There was some interruption to services from mid-December until early January due to both unanticipated staff sickness and other service pressures.

“Short breaks at Woodlawn House have now resumed and Trust staff have been in contact with all families affected.”