Pinewood: Allister seeks clarity over care homes ‘debacle’

Care homes like Pinewood in Ballymena still have a black cloud hanging over them despite an announcement that no such homes will be closed until 2015, says TUV leader Jim Allister.

The North Antrim Assemblyman contended that the Health and Social Care Board’s statement that they will conduct a review of the ban on new admissions is a ‘tacit acknowledgement’ that the Minister has got it wrong.

And he continued: “However, we need to give clarity on the care home debacle and offer guidance to the residents, their families and the staff of these valued facilities.

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“A review is only as good as its outcome, therefore the policy of banning new admissions, which amounts to closure by stealth, needs to be lifted immediately not just reviewed.

“This is a point TUV has been making for months. We welcome movement in the right direction and hope the ban will be lifted.”

Mr. Allister argued that the Minister’s policy had been ill-judged from the outset, saying: “Even with the lifting of the ban, homes such as Pinewood in Ballymena will be operating under a black cloud. Potential new residents and their families will be looking for a secure and stable future for their care but with a stay of execution until 2015 this cannot be guaranteed.

“The Minister is failing the most vulnerable with his misjudged policy.”