Monthly Archives: May 2014

Retaining Carrick’s sense of identity following the upcoming council merger has been outlined as a key priority for a number of candidates. Members of the UUP, TUV and NI21 parties were just some of those launching their respective campaigns last week as the countdown continues to the local government elections on May 22. Among those seeking a seat on the new Mid and East Antrim Council, which will comprise the current local authorities of Carrick, Larne and Ballymena, are UUP candidates Councillor John Stewart, Cllr Andrew Wilson and Lindsay Millar. “This is the most important local government election for Carrickfergus in 30 years,” Cllr Stewart said. “With the merger of Carrick into the new Mid and East Antrim Council there is a real risk that we could be swallowed up by other areas. I am dedicated to ensuring this does not happen and that Carrickfergus remains the primary focus.” Education, … Continue reading →

Staff at Clonmore House care home in Rathcoole have reacted with cautious optimism to news that the home’s current residents will not be forced to leave after Health Minister Edwin Poots backtracked on closure plans. The proposed closures, made under the Transforming Your Care initiative, would have seen 18 residential care homes in the Northern and Western Health Trust areas close. The plans had led to condemnation and protests from the elderly residents’ families, who were concerned at the stress being forced to leave their homes would cause their relatives. In a letter to the Chair of Stormont’s Health Committee, Mr Poots wrote: “It is my intention to move quickly to reassure permanent residents within those homes. I am clear that existing residents will be allowed to remain in their home for as long as they wish and so long as their needs can continue to be met there.” However, … Continue reading →

DUP Health Minister Edwin Poots was facing calls yesterday to clarify whether the non-admissions policy at state-run residential care homes will be lifted. The question was posed from politicians after a U-turn on an earlier decision to close and wind down residential care homes across the Province as part of the Transforming Your Care policy. In a statement yesterday, Minister Poots reassured residents at 18 statutory residential care homes that they will be allowed to remain in their homes “for as long as they wish and so long as their needs can continue to be met there”. He said there is significant spare capacity in homes and that he has tasked officials to examine how to make best use of statutory residential homes. “I am keen to see an expanded role for care homes – providing respite care and, given the current pressures in our hospital system, potential step-down provision … Continue reading →

There have been calls for clarity over the admissions policy of a Carrickfergus care home that was originally earmarked for closure. Joymount House was one of 18 residential homes across Northern Ireland granted a reprieve last week from Health Minister Edwin Poots. Plans were originally outlined in 2013 to close the homes as part of the Transforming Your Care Review. However, public outcry on the decision led to a new round of public consultations, which concluded last month with almost 1000 written responses. The latest development will allow current residents to remain on at the statutory care homes for ‘as long as they wish’, with a review of admission policies to be carried out. In a letter to Health Committee chair Maeve McLaughlin last week, Mr Poots indicated that ‘every effort’ was made to engage with those affected by the closure plans during the consultation. “The HSC Board went to … Continue reading →