THE HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) has announced plans for four community nursing units with almost 300 extended care beds in Cork city as part of a €112 million national programme aimed at allowing elderly patients to transfer from acute hospitals when they are ready to do so.
According to the HSE, the establishment of the new units in Cork city will be followed over the coming months by similar developments across the country, including Tralee, Co Kerry, as well as expansions in Bandon in Co Cork and Enniscorthy in Co Wexford.
Pat Healy, the HSE South's Primary Community and Continuing Care Directorate assistant national director, said the initiative will enable elderly patients to transfer to more appropriate care facilities when they no longer need acute hospital care.
The developments will provide public high-quality long-stay, therapeutic, rehabilitative and medical care for older people who will receive care on a residential and day-case basis, including wound management, health promotion and routine investigative services, he said.
While the paramedical services ensure patients receive services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, clients also have access to assistance, including chiropody and hairdressing, depending on the unit, he said.
"We know that older people are more likely to choose to remain at home for as long as possible and on that basis we have a wide range of supports to facilitate this, including community intervention teams, home care packages, home helps and respite facilities.
"However, when this becomes more challenging, or when individuals require care following hospital discharge, we can support and assist them through facilities and services at our community nursing units," said Mr Healy.
Planning permission was sought last week for the first purpose-built community nursing unit in the grounds of St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital in Gurranabraher on Cork's northside, which will cater for some 50 patients.
Planning permission will also be applied for shortly for two units comprising 100 beds in the former army barracks in Ballincollig as well as for another two units comprising another 100 beds on Farranlea Road near the County Hall in Cork city.
Meanwhile, the former maternity unit in St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork city has already been transformed into a community nursing unit with 37 beds and, if staff can be recruited, is expected to open next month.
HSE South local health manager Gretta Crowley said the average capital cost of a 50-bed unit is €13 million with a total of 331 staff, including 55 at St Finbarr's, approved for the four Cork units, which will cost a total of €16 million a year to run.
Ms Crowley revealed that a new unit is to open with 69 posts in Tralee at the end of the year and Bandon Community Hospital is increasing its number of beds from 23 to 40, while the number of beds in Enniscorthy is being increased by 12 in a similar move.
"Our aim is to provide leading-edge continuing care services that are in line with current best practice, attract high quality motivated staff, meet the standards for residential care settings for older people, and most importantly focus on person-centred care," she said.