Concerns have been raised over a planned changeover of service provision at Seaview Respite Home in Mountcharles in the New Year
The RehabCare Group is to take over formal responsibility of respite services at the facility from January 2019. This move was due to improve the consistency of services and increase weekly hours of care.
However, Donegal Deputy Pringle said he is worried about the HSE handing over responsibility of care to a third party.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “I do not want to see the HSE absolve its responsibility to a third party making it difficult and next to impossible for its service users and their families to hold them to account on any issues that may arise.
“While ownership of the facility is not being transferred, the provision of its services will now be under management of Rehab Care. This further removes the HSE from being held to account for the provision of respite services and whether they meet the needs of its service users.”
Deputy Pringle asked the Minister for Health and Minister of State for Disabilities to ensure the situation is monitored carefully.
He said: “I also want assurances that the quality of service provision will be a priority and that HSE oversight over this will remain. I want the Minister to commit to a smooth transition both for its service users and the employees working there.”
Pringle added that the Minister was unable to give him assurances on one particular issue relating to costs.
He said: “Another issue which raises alarm bells for me is the reason behind this transfer. If it benefits the HSE to pass on the management of services to a third party it must mean it is cheaper for the HSE to do so.
“The question is why and if this inevitably means that terms and conditions of the staff working there will be affected.”
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