Dementia plansand supports

That’s according to Allan Chapman from the Department of Heath, Social Services and Public Safety’s (DHSSPS) Elderly Community Care Department. Mr Chapman wrote to Derry City Council about the unit during the summer.

It had been slated for closure at the end of May after an RQIA inspection in January 2013 - the first such inspection of the facility - deemed the model of care being delivered could not be registered under the RQIA registration classifications. The Unit - which had a total staff complement of 31 - was deemed to be providing the same model of care as a nursing home and thus was unclassifiable under the RQIA criteria. The Trust decided the current unit does not and could not be made to meet the required nursing home standard.

Mr Poots, however, granted the unit a reprieve before its deadline for closure. Mr Chapman explained that discussions took place over the summer.

“Discussion have been ongoing between the Department, RQIA and Trust officials in an attempt to explore all avenues possible in order to find a resolution, which will allow matters to move forward,” he wrote.

The Minister also met with WHSCT Chief Executive Elaine Way.

“Minister emphasised that the safety and care for the six remaining residents continues to be his first concern,” wrote Mr Chapman. “The Minister has also recently written to the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland to ask her to mediate between organisation and families with the aim of giving all parties sufficient opportunity for meaningful engagement,” he added.